•NADDC releases stakeholders’ resolutions
By Moses Akaigwe
The Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has clarified her remarks regarding made-in-Nigeria vehicles at the recent auto industry stakeholders meeting organised in Lagos by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
A popular television station in Lagos had reported that the minister, who addressed the gathering virtually, had warned that the Federal Government would not buy substandard made-In-Nigeria vehicles.
The report, which was also posted on the station’s X (Twitter) handle, caused disquiet in the auto industry.
But, putting the record straight in a statement, Dr. Uzoka-Anite disclosed that at no point did she say that vehicles from the domestic auto industry were substandard, describing the television station’s report as not only misleading, but also giving a wrong meaning to her comments.
She stated, “We wish to state unequivocally that at no point did she call Made-In-Nigeria cars substandard; Rather, she highlighted the need for robust self-regulatory measures in the industry to meet top quality required in the global standard for car production. This, she said, is to enhance safety, durability and after-sale value.”
Signed by the minister’s Media Adviser, Oladapo Sofowora, the statement explained that while addressing the stakeholders of the local automobile manufacturing sector, she spoke on the need for quality as the benchmark for car production with good after-sales value.
She further harped on the need for players in the industry to self-regulate the industry and make top-quality vehicles with reliable after-sales.
She said that the government is just like every other customer who wants value for the money spent in terms of quality and after-sales value.
In her words, “the government is a consumer and they are also your customers, and like every other customer, they are not immune to bad service. That we are government does not mean we should patronise bad products because they are made in Nigeria.”
“At no point in time in the conversation did she castigate or undermine made-in-Nigeria cars.
She only highlighted things the players need to do to get government patronage, while also disclosing that the government is coming up with policies that will ensure the association gets the right support to thrive by producing cars, not just for the Nigerian market but also for regional and the African markets.
“The minister is committed to positioning Nigerian products and automobiles as top choices for trade purposes, which will attract more jobs and create a value chain for the country. So if the industry is thriving well, the Nigerian economy will blossom.
“She is committed to ensuring quality benchmarks and also expunging bottlenecks affecting trade and investment in the automobile industry where all players can get access to support from the government but they must first self-regulate and also invest more in quality.”
Meanwhile, NADDC which organised the stakeholders engagement meeting in respect of the 2023 National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) has issued resolutions made at the forum held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos..
Top on the 15-point resolution that government should focus on stimulating the growth of local manufacturing clusters to support the automotive sector.
Other are: that skills development should be a primary focus to secure early technological adoption, even as the gathering urged government to create a closed cycle system where made-in-Nigeria vehicles populate the used car market.
The stakeholders also resolved thus: Ensure the adoption of the policy for immediate implementation by the relevant government agencies; NADDC should make available a regularly updated industry profile for prospective investors; ensure the passage of the NADDC bill as a legal backing for the NAIDP; and special emphasis was made on smooth port operations as demurrage leads to increased product cost to the consumer ( ports control and ease of clearance).
Other resolutions were: Emphasis was raised on the development of local components;
Design strategies to support the industry access Forex; NADDC should seek out grants and funds to develop critical infrastructure, such as the test centres and the automotive parks; and assemblers should guarantee customers a certain level of after-sales services to secure patronage.
Also among the decisions were: Assemblers should adhere strictly to quality standards to increase consumer confidence; recognition for motor cycles within the policy; NAMA should coordinate it’s members to ensure compliance with industry and government guidelines; and stakeholders should understand the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement and the opportunities available for the automotive sector.
The NADDC statement noted that Industry Trade. Dr. Uzoka-Anite, emphatically assured of the Federal Government’s full support to the local automotive sector.
“The Hon. Minister also stated that the Auto Policy is a vital part of the administration’s “renewed hope agenda” adding that the auto industry has the capacity to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s GDP.”
She was quoted in the NADDC statement to have said “The auto industry is key to achieving economic diversification, and this is in line with the mandate of the ministry to ensure full diversification and full industrialisation of the economy.”