NAADC seeks legal framework for NAIDP

• Lauds Nissan, VW, Kia for attaining manufacturing status

To gain investors’ confidence, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has advised that the policy establishing the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) be passed into law.

Director General of NADDC, Jelani Aliyu who gave the advice yesterday at the 2018 Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Annual Training Workshop in Lagos said that although, additional effort was made to legislate the policy and it passed both houses successfully in the last and current regimes, more still needs to be done.

Speaking on the topic “Achieving 2013-2020 Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) Under The Current Regime: How Feasible?”, Aliyu said that the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) has admitted automotive industry for consideration as one of its priority development sectors.

Emphasising on the importance of legal support, Aliyu who was represented by NADDC Director of Special Duties, David Oyetunji said Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) came from South Africa to meet with the National Assembly and Vice President and implored Mr. President to put ascent on the bill as it was considered a key factor for them to establish their plants in Nigeria.

For NAIDP to make further progress, Aliyu said “Nigeria Customs Service should collaborate with NADDC fully. Misunderstanding of policy intent and perceived conflict with revenue collection. Nigeria Customs Service should collaborate with NADDC fully. The policy has not been signed into law by Mr. President whose approval is most deserved and the problem of smuggling of used vehicles from neighbouring countries has not been fully curtailed”.

 According to the DG, the NAIDP has inbuilt support programs to realize set targets in output, standards and skills, some of which include collaboration of NADDC with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) in establishment of world class automotive test laboratories for emission, components and materials.

To develop the automotive market further, Aliyu stated that all assemblers have been directed to include a low-cost vehicle in the models they roll out to enhance ease of ownership by Nigerians, adding that so far, Nissan, Hyundai, KIA, Volkswagen and others have all assembled brand new lower cost vehicles.

On patronage, he advised that government should form the habit of using vehicles made in Nigeria as that would show government’s commitment to job creation and industrialization besides setting example for others to follow.

“Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had issued a circular to this effect and Bureau of Public Procurement has commenced implementation in conjunction with the NADDC”, Aliyu informed.