FG is committed to auto assembly- NADDC boss

Aliyu Jelani, Director General of the National Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC), has reiterated the commitment of the automotive in playing a crucial role towards the economic diversification of the country.

Making this known yesterday during an interactive session with local auto assemblers in Lagos, the NADDC boss stated that the move towards injecting vibrancy and achieving the needed volume requires the commitment of all stakeholders in order to achieve the set goal of the National Automotive Industrial Development Plan (NAIDP 2013-2023).

While commending the local assemblers for their level of investments in their assembly plants, he said this provides an opportunity for every stakeholder to play a role in the automotive future and economic diversification and advancement of the country.

Describing the transport sector as crucial in the development of any society, he added that, in order to be part of the movement that would provide effective and affordable vehicles, the Federal Government is desirous and committed to this progress across the land, stressing that the automotive sector will play a great role in achieving that.

In his words, Jelani Aliyu said, ‘’Am very happy to know all the great works that has been done by the NADDC in collaboration with all a lot of your companies in moving the sector forward’’.

He reiterated his expectation towards a closer working relationship in achieving a great success in the sector. Jelani expressed satisfaction that what the local auto assemblers have done is a strong demonstration of ‘self-belief and that we-can-do-it attitude’.

In emphasising the President Muhammad Buhari’s resolve towards diversification from oil, into agriculture, mining and industrialisation, he remind the gathering that no other sector could play such a vital role like the automotive sector in terms of the overall development of a nation.

Moving forward in giving all the necessary support needed in building capacity, the future of the automotive sector of the country must fall in line with emerging trends in automotive future and developments around the world.

He urged the local assembly to begin to explore opportunities that presents itself as they move along that direction of vehicle manufacturing as capacity is grown.

‘’As you aware, there are a lot of automotive technologies around the world; a technology that enables most safety, efficiency, durability and even more importantly environmental sustainability.

‘’As we move forward in building capacity, we must also do it in a way that it incorporates some of this global movements, so that we leverage that in making the sector even more applicable.’’ He said.

One of the technologies that have to be looked according to him is electrification including taking example from newer vehicles that are less expensive and more in tune with global standards and efficient.

Peugeot with its parent company on France for example has a rich history in Africa in producing less expensive vehicles.

The NADDC called on local assemblers to begin to think about how to offer such less expensive, cost effective vehicle to Nigerians.

‘’We need to have two-pronged approach. Let’s continue to offer the traditional vehicles that we have like sedan, buses, but we should also have cost effective vehicles that will help us achieve more in agriculture, in health delivery and transportation in rural areas’’. He argued.

 

MIKE OCHONMA