Even as the Federal Government is aggressive in its quest to galvanise vehicle assembly in Nigeria, to reduce or stop the importation of both used and new vehicles into the country, stakeholders have expressed anxiety as to the success or otherwise of the policy.
The last story on the policy was the disbursement of funds to some local automobile firms across the country in order to commence the manufacturing or assembly of vehicles in the country.
Even as the Federal Government is aggressive in its quest to galvanise vehicle assembly in Nigeria, to reduce or stop the importation of both used and new vehicles into the country, stakeholders have expressed anxiety as to the success or otherwise of the policy.
The last story on the policy was the disbursement of funds to some local automobile firms across the country in order to commence the manufacturing or assembly of vehicles in the country.
The National Automobile Council (NAC) through its Director General Aminu Jalal said in Abuja, last week that the agency has disbursed a whooping N11 billion to 33 local vehicle companies to boost the production of affordable made-in-Nigeria brands.
Primarily, according to him, only three companies are involved in the core assembly of vehicle while others are to boost local content in the country.
Auto Port Weekly however sampled opinions of industry players about the April 2014 production of a made-Nigeria car.
While stakeholders who deal in vehicle import expressed doubt about vehicle manufacturing in Nigeria, other automobile traders who spoke to our correspondent last week expressed positive feelings about government’s drive to start manufacturing of vehicles in Nigeria.
Director, Sunrise Motor Dealers Association, Pastor Uzor Andrew expressed optimism that the government policy to encourage local manufacturing of vehicles in Nigeria is long overdue.
Uzor lauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s initiative to revive the moribund automobile sector, saying that the automobile sector was almost dead before the administration of the incumbent President intervened.
The automobile dealer said that money spent on importation of vehicles is enough for the government to put structures in place for local assemblage, adding that in no distance time the country will commence the exportation of vehicles to other country of the world, if well enhanced.
He also urged other operators in the business to support the Federal Government’s quest to commence local production of vehicles in the country noting that sabotage on the part of the Nigerians, will only set the country and the economy backwards.
According to him, the country is big enough to own assembly plants across the six geo political zones.
Also an Ikeja based dealer, Stephen Uzonuoma reiterated that the government should encourage agricultural sector in the production of rubber parts of vehicles.
He said the agriculture and automobile sectors will have to synergise to boost the project of vehicles manufacturing in the country urging government to think towards toward enhancing the agro and allied sector.
The automobile dealer decried the fact that despite the assurance of bringing out a made-in- Nigeria car in April, there are indications of high level of importation of some the component materials or parts.
He also noted that government policy to encourage local production will enable local manufacturers like Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) flourish, adding that it is the only vehicle brand that is known to be proudly Nigeria.
But, reacting negatively, the Managing Director ATLAS Automobile Limited, Godwin Ugbah expressed doubt about the project saying, it’s all media hype.
He reiterated that the country is not ripe to produce, manufacture or assemble vehicles completely without the importation of some materials.
The importer added that the importation of some parts to complement vehicles assemblage will not make any significance sufficient to call Nigeria a car manufacturing nation, because of the importation tendency that has been attached.
According to him, countries that are known for vehicle manufacturing import less, but in Nigeria 85% of products that will complement the production of vehicles will be imported.
He also appealed to the federal government to continue with the 35% duty on imported vehicles and then study the steady progression of indigenous manufacturing before reaching out to foreign investors.
However, when asked about one of the advantages of the April roll-out date Ugbah affirmed ‘’that one of the advantages of the policy of encouraging vehicle manufacturing in the country, is the fact that there will be massive employment for the Nigerian youths, if the government is serious and aggressive about it’’.
Ugbah deeply suggested that Nigerians should promote and create more awareness for IVM ahead of other brands that will commence production in the country, urging first time buyers of vehicles to consider the indigenous manufacturer before laying emphasis on brands manufactured by foreign investors.
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