The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. WW has applauded PAN Nigeria for its remarkable support of the Nigerian automotive policy development plan and for its leading role in the auto sector.
Dr. Aganga, who gave this commendation when the Managing Director, PAN Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi led a high-powered delegation from PSA Group (France), makers of Peugeot Automobile on a symbolic visit to his office, remarked that, “PAN has been extremely supportive of the auto policy and the development process which took two years to develop”. During this period, he said, “PAN played a very big role in ensuring that the auto policy comes into being as the Managing Director, Mr. Boyi has been exceptionally proactive and vocal in the industry since he assumed office”, the Minister said.
The Honourable Minister expressed delight about PSA’s renewed commitment to work harmoniously with PAN to develop the industry and also key into the automotive plan. He further divulged that, “the last time I was in PAN; I was impressed by the quality and standard of the workers as well as the quality cars produced locally.
“In the early 80s I served as auditor of PAN, so I know PAN very well. When I went back to PAN after more than 35 years, PAN still stands the same because it’s well built and it will be right to say that it is the most complete assembly plant in Nigeria today.
“I know that PSA has made the right decision to return to its partnership with PAN and I hope this time it will be for a long period.
“Our job as government is to provide the right atmosphere for business to thrive and also work as partners to achieve the shared vision that we all have for the industry.
“It is my hope that we develop a symbiotic synergy that will result in a win-win situation for all stakeholders in the automotive sector”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the PSA Group Executive Vice President for Middle East and Africa, Mr. Jean-Christophe Quemard, commended the Federal Government for its vision in setting up the automotive plan, adding that PSA Group is closely monitoring the implementation of the policy and expressed the Group’s renewed commitment to work with PAN and develop Peugeot in Nigeria and Africa in general.
According to Mr. Quemard, Peugeot operates in 160 countries across the globe and it is number two carmaker in Europe with 11.9% market share, in addition to 195,000 employees worldwide. Peugeot; according to the PSA Boss, “is a brand with high heritage” that has provided Nigerians with mollifying road transportation since 1972 and has become a name that is part of the Nigerian life and literature.
Mr. Quemard assured the Minister that PSA Group is strongly committed to the development of Peugeot brands in Nigeria and will support the new auto policy as well as strengthen its partnership with PAN Nigeria to provide quality, affordable Peugeot cars and spare-parts with viable and technically sound after-sales support services and equipped dealership outlets across Nigeria.
In his presentation, the Managing Director, PAN Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi informed Dr. Olusegun Aganga that the visit by PSA Group Vice President for Middle East and Africa, Mr. Jean-Christophe Quemard is the highest level of PSA to visit Nigeria since 2007; adding that it is a profound testimony of PSA’s confidence in the new auto policy as well as a demonstration of their commitment to Nigeria and Africa in general. Mr. Boyi further commended the Honourable Minister for his laudable achievements in policy formulation and implementation and solicited for government’s unending support especially in the area of patronage and provision of peaceful business environment.
