The Minister of Science and Technology; Dr. Ogbonna Onu has been commended by fairly used car dealers in Lagos state for his recent directives that parastatals under the ministry would be made to purchase locally-assembled vehicles.
The dealers also expressed satisfaction over indigenous vehicle manufacturer; Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing (IVM) Nigeria Limited for competing with other world renowned car makers in the country, calling on government to encourage the Nnewi based entrepreneur and car dealers in Nigeria.
The fairly used cars dealers urged the ministry of science and technology and other related ministries to work together to ensure that the national automobile policy thrives , saying that the Nigerian car dealers are willing to sell vehicles that are locally manufactured in the country.
Speaking with Auto Port Weekly in Lagos last week, a dealer; Mr. Stanley Akide urged both the ministries of Trade and Investment and the ministry of transportation to support local car production, saying that the two ministries can influence better decision than the Onu led ministry.
He said dealers across Nigeria are willing to sell new cars as a way of survival should the government be willing to support the sub sector.
"Ogbonnaya Onu has written his name in gold in the history of Nigerian books for making sure that all the parastatals and other government agencies under his ministry buy made-in-Nigerian cars"
"We support such action taken by him and we want him to advice his counterparts in other ministries to instruct units under them to buy locally manufactured vehicles as a way of encouraging the manufacturers. "
Akide maintained that imported used cars are now faced with numerous challenges that have made many of the dealers to throw in the towel.
He also added that IVM should be given up most priority in term of patronage before any other foreign investor in the sector as a way of promoting indigenous entrepreneurship in the automobile industry.
He stated that the last ministry of trade and investment under President Goodluck Jonathan was passionate about the auto policy, but added that the new government is yet to work in the same direction.
He also stressed the need for government to put in place policies to encourage sale of used vehicles saying that Nigerians cannot do away with such types of items.
The operator called on the government to look inward for sustainability of the informal sector of the automobile industry, pointing out that sale of used cars over the years contribute to economic growth of the country.
Also speaking to our correspondent, Manager Director, Freel Automobile Limited, Francis Ndulue expressed satisfaction over the minister of science and technology’s directive in ensuring that parastatals patronise locally assembled vehicles.
Ndulue maintained that the minister's move to beg Nigerians to buy locally made vehicles will further boost the morale of the manufacturers for them to invest more in the sector.
The car dealer stated that importation of used cars into the country has been threatened, following government policy on the automobile sector.
He also called on the President of the country to look inward about how revive the informal sector of industry, noting that the policy on vehicle importation was inimical to the sub-sector.
Another dealer, Mr. Lucky Osazuwa appealed to government to also assist car dealers in Nigeria for them obtain soft loans in order to patronise local assembly vehicles.
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