Emmanuel OchayiNigerian government, through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), is firm on accelerating the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company, aiming to revolutionize Nigeria’s auto industry.
Joseph Osanipin, the Director-General of NADDC, emphasized during an event in Abuja that ending the reliance on imported vehicles, particularly those over two decades old, is crucial for the nation’s economic growth and self-sufficiency.
Osanipin stated, “We can’t perpetually accept over 400,000 used cars yearly. Nigeria must cease being a dumping ground. Collaborating with stakeholders, we’re targeting a ban on used vehicles older than twenty years, aiming to enhance local production.”
Highlighting the pivotal role of the Ajaokuta Steel completion, Osanipin stressed its potential to conserve foreign exchange, promote local manufacturing of auto parts, and boost employment opportunities.
He further elaborated on plans to establish quality standards and regulate imported vehicles, emphasizing the necessity of airbags and the need for setting minimum vehicle quality for imports.
The NAIDP, geared towards addressing production limitations, enhancing local content, and resolving financial constraints, intends to implement a “deletion policy.” Osanipin clarified that this policy seeks to identify and boost the production of local components like tyres, plastics, batteries, and other essentials, aligning them with stringent national standards.
Moreover, Osanipin emphasized that upholding production standards for these local components would not only cater to local assemblers but also meet global market demands, eventually eliminating the need for importing these items.
He concluded by stressing the urgency of advancing local content development to bolster the nation’s economy, conserve foreign exchange, and fortify the Nigerian currency, the Naira.
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