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By Moses Akaigwe
The organisers of the annual Lagos Motor Fair and Autoparts Expo Africa have appealed to the Federal Government to pay attention to Nigeria’s automotive industry, using its great potential for the benefit of the economy.
Managing director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, who made the appeal at the opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the exhibition, said the challenges in the industry must be overcome so that the country will not lose more ground in the sector to Ghana and other neighbouring countries.
“I urge the new government to ensure that the automotive sector of the Nigerian economy remains in the front burner of its economic policy and programmes from the onset,” he said.
The managing director, who is the chairman of the fair’s organising committee, stated that, “This edition of the all-inclusive automotive event is holding despite all odds, with the high hope and enthusiasm that the new administration in Nigeria, will give the industry the needed attention and action that will take us to the desired height. This it should do urgently so that we will not lose more ground in the industry to Ghana and other neighbouring countries.”
Agwu remarked, “The sector is very important as it shows physically the state of the economy and it generates much revenue and creates enormous employment. No serious government toys with it. It is a sector that affects virtually everything. If it is not rightly re-positioned now, it will in the very near future negatively affect a whole lot in the life of the people and economy. Government should therefore parley seriously with the sector stakeholders to see how it could be made better.
“We are using this edition to re-emphasise the need to institute and drive a well thought out policy and programme to rejig the sector to enhance the making of Nigeria the hub of automotive business in West Africa in particular and the entire continent in general.”
According to him, “There is an urgent need for all the stakeholders to close ranks and pursue the development of the sector with more focus and dedication.
They need to ensure unity of purpose and always utilise every window of opportunity such as this, to draw the attention of policy makers and implementers to the challenges in the sector.
In unison the stakeholders can put the issues of the sector in the front burners of economic discussion and policy in the country and ensure that it does not collapse.
“We aim to use this key annual event to strengthen Nigerian Autoparts markets’ role as the hub of the sector’s business in Africa. The intention is to make players in the sector from other countries in the continent to be buying from the Nigerian markets. Also, the thrust in this edition is to use the Business To Business (B2B) interfaces, strategically arranged between the exhibiting Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), the leadership and members of the major Autoparts Markets across Nigeria, government representatives and other key stakeholders to spur partnerships between the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and our people that would lead to setting up of autoparts manufacturing/assembly in Nigeria.
“Nigeria has the resources and capacity to play such a role and it will be a very big disservice to Nigeria and its people if other African countries do this ahead of Nigeria, especially in West Africa.”
For participating in the fair despite many challenges, Agwu commended the eahibitors and specially thanked the National Automotive Design and Development Counci; Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); and the leadership and members of various auto parts markets in Nigeria, including Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA),
He also acknowledged Ladipo International Market traders, those from Clegg street, Cole, Willoughby, Akilo, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Nnewi, Nkpor, Ugwuagba, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Aba, Calabar, and Uyo.
“Also my heartfelt thanks goes to the motoring press; for their unalloyed support to us. Our partners: China Grand International Exhibition Co. Ltd., World Trade Exhibitions, and MotorTrend Africa.”
