FG pledges to prioritise made-in-Nigeria vehicles

The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to prioritise Made-in-Nigeria vehicles.

The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Osanipin, made this known at the stakeholders’ engagement with the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) on the import of used cars and dealership regulation in Nigeria yesterday in Lagos.

Oluwemimo stated that this would prevent the country from being a dumping ground, urging the stakeholders to see it as an opportunity to speak to themselves and also self-regulate.

He said the auto sector alone can generate employment next to agriculture, noting that all the leading countries of the world have taken their auto sector as a priority.

“Nigeria is ready to prioritise Made-in-Nigeria vehicles.

“We cannot turn our country into a dumping ground.

This is the time we need to talk to ourselves and also the time to self-regulate.

“All the leading countries of the world have taken their auto sector as a priority. Auto alone can generate employment next to agriculture.

“And because of the multiplier effect, the government is taking it seriously. If we get it right, the auto sector has the capacity to conserve foreign exchange.

“One of our core mandates is to regulate the activities of the auto dealers. There are some vehicles in Nigeria we have that we are not supposed to have. Why are we not displaying Nigerian vehicles? This will prevent the perception of Nigeria as a dumping ground for stolen vehicles,” he said.

Speaking also, the Chairman of the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturer Association (NAMA), Bawo Omogbitse, said there are some opportunities inherent in collaboration in this sector.

He identified smuggling as a big issue, noting that one cannot work without the other.

Also speaking, the President of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON), Prince Ajibola Adedoyin, said both AMDON and those saddled with the responsibility of checking scrap vehicles should be blamed.

Meanwhile, the President assured that they would work with NADDC in submitting a bill regulating auto dealerships in Nigeria.

He also advised that the registration should be at no cost or relatively cheaper for AMDON members.