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National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has renewed its commitment to the implementation of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) in the interest of the country’s auto sector.
In addition, the Council would team up with relevant stakeholders towards ensuring early enactment of the auto policy into law by the National Assembly.
The new NADDC Director General, Mr. Jelani Aliyu, made these declarations in Abuja recently while receiving in his office the directors of the Nigerian Automobile Manufacturers Association (NAMA) led by its Chairman, Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran (who is also the Managing Director of VON Automobiles, Lagos) and Vice Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Dutsinma Boyi (MD, PAN Nigeria) who came on a courtesy visit.
Aliyu emphasised that the council was also committed to putting in place an affordable vehicle financing scheme which would enhance the capacity of Nigerians across the country to buy new made in Nigeria vehicles instead of patronizing second hand vehicles.
He looked forward to working very closely with NAMA members and other stakeholders in the auto industry with a view to making Nigeria a major vehicle manufacturing hub; not just to meet national demand but also for exports.
Speaking earlier, NAMA Chairman, Mr. Tokunbo Aromolaran described the recent appointment of Mr. Jelani Aliyu, as putting a round peg in a round hole, and expressed the determination of the stakeholders to team up with him in moving the auto industry in Nigeria to an enviable height.
He said that the auto policy introduced about three years ago had succeeded in springing back to life active assembly operations and new investments in the auto industry.
In his remarks, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi said, “Active government policy is what can make the auto industry succeed. The auto policy needs to be strengthened and there is need to bring more impetus into the enforcement of the implementation timelines of the policy. We know that it is not an easy challenge but we have confidence in you to apply necessary drivers of success.”
Contacted for his comments on the association’s visit, the Executive Director NAMA, Mr. Remi Olaofe, expressed confidence in the leadership of the new NADDC Director-General, Jelani Aliyu.
Olaofe is hopeful that Aliyu would bring practical and pragmatic solutions to the challenges of the country’s automotive industry. “I can see opportunities for symbiotic relationship between NADDC and NAMA in the actualisation of Nigeria’s auto policy,” the Executive Director of NAMA remarked.
