Director General/CEO of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Osanipin, has stated that achieving the Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) and its desired outcomes necessitates careful initiation, recommendation, supervision, and regulation of policies and programmes aimed at promoting locally manufactured vehicles and components.
According to him, the collective journey towards formulating the most effective strategies for such implementation requires deliberations on the overarching mandate of the NADDC.
The Director General made this statement during a stakeholders’ engagement with the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) on the regulation of used cars and dealerships in Nigeria, held at CEEDAPEG Hotel, Uyo, on Wednesday. He emphasised that the core mission of the NAIDP is to revitalise and foster the robust growth of the Nigerian automotive sector.
*”This endeavour is critical, considering the profound multiplier effects it has on our economy—ranging from generating employment and building local capacity to enhancing infrastructure and conserving our foreign reserves.
“Our ultimate goal at NADDC is to cultivate an enabling environment where Nigerian-made vehicles of international standards can be produced at competitive prices, utilising our abundant local human and material resources, thereby positioning Nigeria as a leading automotive manufacturing nation globally.”*
Osanipin stressed that central to the Council’s mandate is the imperative to regulate motor dealers. This regulation is not merely a formality but is crucial for several fundamental reasons, including ensuring the safety and environmental soundness of vehicles circulating within the market.
*”Additionally, it actively combats the illicit trade of smuggled, accidented, flooded, and aged vehicles, and crucially addresses the detrimental impact that unregulated used vehicles can have on human lives, our national economy, and the environment.
“By effectively regulating motor dealers, the Council is committed to safeguarding public safety, protecting the environment, and nurturing a sustainable and responsible automotive market for all Nigerians.”*
He further highlighted that Executive Order 005 stands as a testament to NADDC’s commitment, mandating government patronage of locally assembled automobiles by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
*”This patronage is not just a policy; it is a vital pillar for the success and sustained growth of our local automotive industry. To ensure compliance and robustly support this industry, it is essential that motor dealers register and operate within a well-defined and regulated framework.
“Moreover, to truly benefit from this government patronage, motor dealers must prioritise sourcing vehicles exclusively from local manufacturers and assemblers.
“As we look to the future, exploring new market segments such as CNG-powered vehicles, electric vehicles, and commercial fleets becomes paramount.
“Simultaneously, we must mitigate the risks posed by non-roadworthy vehicles in the market. The registration of motor dealers is a necessary step in this evolution, as it creates the foundational enabling environment for our automotive sector to not only survive but to truly thrive and innovate.”*
Concluding his address, Osanipin reaffirmed NADDC’s steadfast commitment to steering this transformative journey, with the ultimate goal of driving sustainable growth and comprehensive development within Nigeria’s automotive sector.
He welcomed valuable and insightful contributions during the engagement, stating that they are absolutely essential in shaping the envisioned future.
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