National Automotive Policy Will Stimulate Economy, Says NADDC Boss

James Emejo in Abuja

The Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Joseph Osanipin, has said the effective implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) stimulates investments in the automotive sector as well as boosts the economy.

Addressing journalists over the weekend, he called for the support of President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly, in ensuring that the plan becomes legislation.  

He said part of the council’s strategies was to boost patronage of locally manufactured vehicles as well as increase local content.

He said, “We want that plan to be enacted, so we’ll continue to push for it, so that by the time we have it not just as a plan but an act of Parliament, foreign investors will have confidence in investing into the sector.

“The NAIDP stands on seven pillars and these are what we want to implement, these include driving investment; to boosting the market by expanding it.

“Part of what I want to do is to boost patronage of Nigeria-made vehicles and we cannot achieve that without the reportage of what our assemblers are doing when we have them working, we would have to increase local content and meet AfCFTA 30 per cent of the local content quarter.”

He also spoke of the council’s drive to revive moribund allied companies in the automotive sector.

Osanipin said, “In those days, cars get their tyres, batteries, and foams, manufactured in Nigeria. All these can still be achieved in Nigeria even though most industries are dead, we intend to support them to revive.”

He said though capital-intensive, the NADDC will seek to develop the infrastructure for the manufacturing of electric vehicles to support the country’s aspirations for a green economy.

He said, “Even though it is capital intensive, we are keeping our heads high with the moving trends, we’ve to make so many sacrifices now to reap the gains of the future.

“We need the media to educate the public that this period of pain is going to be very short but it will produce gains that will be enjoyed later.

“We need investors who will have that confidence and faith in the policy and with the support of the president and the National Assembly, we want that plan to be enacted, so we’ll continue to push for it so that by the time we have it not just as a plan but an act of Parliament, foreign investors will have confidence in investing into the sector.”