Key Auto Players in Nigeria have challenged the Federal Government to stimulate growth of local manufacturing clusters as part of measures to support the automotive sector.
This form part of the recent Auto Policy Stakeholders’ Engagement in Lagos organised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
THE RESOLUTIONS:
1. The government should focus on stimulating the growth of local manufacturing clusters to support the automotive sector.
2. Skills development should be a primary focus to secure early technological adoption.
3. Creat a closed cycle system where made-Nigeria vehicles populate the used car market.
4. Ensure the adoption of the policy for immediate implementation by the relevant government agencies.
5. NADDC should make available a regularly updated industry profile for prospective investors.
6. Ensure the passage of the NADDC bill as a legal backing for the NAIDP.
7. Special emphasis was made on smooth port operations as demurrage leads to increased product cost to the consumer ( ports control and ease of clearance).
8. Emphasis was raised on the development of local components.
9. Design strategies to support the industry access Forex.
10. NADDC should seek out grants and funds to develop critical in infrastructure such as the test centers and the Automotive parks.
11. Assemblers should Guarantee customers a certain level of after-sales services to secure patronage.
12. Assemblers should adhere to strict quality standards to increase consumer confidence.
13. Recognition for motor bicycles within the policy.
14. NAMA should coordinate it’s members to ensure complete with industry and government guidelines.
15. Stakeholders should understand the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement and the opportunities available for the automotive sector.
Speaking at the event via zoom, the Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI), Dr Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite emphatically assured of the Federal Government’s full support to the local automotive sector.
The 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 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”.
