• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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BusinessDay

NAIDP is being reviewed, not suspended, says NADDC DG

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The director-general of the National Automotibe Design & Development Council (NADDC), Aliyu Jelani has assured local auto assemblers of the commitment of the Nigerian government towards pursuing the country’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) to its long term and sustainable conclusion.

He made this known Tuesday in Abuja when members of the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) visited him in his office in Abuja.e

Jelani dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the automotive has been suspended. He explained that the Bill for legislation of NAIDP into law was being reviewed to make it more comprehensive, more engaging, robust and effective towards achieving sustainable growth and development of the automotive industry in Nigeria within the shortest possible time.

The DG stated that the NADDC is in close interactions with the presidency, the federal ministry of industry, trade and Investment, federal ministry of justice and collating inputs from other critical stakeholders towards fast-tracking the review process of the NAIDP Bill while the joint committees on industry at the National Assembly are eager to facilitate speedy passage of the bill, when re-presented.
He assured the NAMA members that the federal government was enormously excited about the auto industry; adding that everything was being done to complete the process of legislating the NAIDP into law so as to guarantee the confidence of investors.
Responding, Tokunbo Aromolaran, NAMA chairman commended the various initiatives being spearheaded by NADDC, especially relating to the auto policy, vehicle finance scheme, local content, patronage of made-in-Nigeria vehicles, automotive test centres, auto industrial parks, pilot auto service hubs, mechatronics training and others.
In attendance during the crucial meeting are chief executives of local auto assembly plants and their representatives including Tokunbo Aromolaran of VON Automobile, Remi Olaofe, NAMA executive director, Frank Nneji, of Transit Support Services, Gautam Kumar Sharma and Abah Ben both of Stallion Group, Olu Tikolo of Kia Motors, Kayode Nariwo of Proforce Limited, Alfred Okugbeni and Ajewole John both of Nigerian Sinotrucks.

Others are Benneth Ejindu of ANAMMCO, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed and Bawo Omagbitse of PAN Nigeria, Kunle Jaiyesimi of CFAO, Adetola Ibrahim of Metal Mate Limited.

 

MIKE OCHONMA