Auto sector: Stakeholders restate commitment to growth, urge FG’s intervention

By Lucy Ogalue

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive industry have reiterated their commitment to grow the sector in order to ensure it contributes its quota to the country’s development.

They spoke in Abuja at a dialogue on Automotive Component Manufacturing in Nigeria, organised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting which held in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, saw stakeholders deliberating on the way forward for the sector.

Representing the Automotive Local Component Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (ALCMAN), Mr Anslem Ilekuba said there was a need for more government support for manufacturers in the industry.

Ilekuba said money and passion were key to advancing the sector, adding: “ I am happy that this passion is gradually returning to the country.

“This is because recently, we see people manufacturing things even in very harsh conditions and making their money.”

According to him, the sub sector faces several challenges such as energy, doubt in the minds of producers on the sale of their products, insecurity and poor road networks, among others.

Similarly, Mr Chika Okafor of Chikason Group, Nnewi, representing the Automotive Plastic and Rubber Component, said inadequate power supply, insecurity and inconsistency in government policies affected the business of the sector.

Okafor, however, acknowledged the commitment of President Bola Tinubu-led administration in advancing the automotive industry in the country.

“Before now, many of us had lost hope in the industry but we can see the efforts of this administration.

“We pray the government can tackle some of these our challenges and assure us of continuity in their policies when we commit to the sector because it will go a long way.

“I am happy for the renewed interest the government is showing in the manufacturing sector but they need to encourage us more,” he said.

On his part, Dr Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Executive Officer, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), representing the tyre and tube component, also expressed the frustration by manufacturers in the country.

Chukwuma said he established a tyre-manufacturing factory in Enugu but was forced to halt production for many years until recently when the present administration gave a go-ahead on the factory.

According to him, the factory, if allowed to function, will not only create jobs but will ensure production of tyres for all Nigerians.

While calling for more government support to the sector, he urged the various stakeholders to synergise to make Nigeria home of automobile in the near future.

“I believe this government has the interest of Nigeria’s future at heart, and I must commend their efforts.

“I urge us all to join hands to ensure the idea behind this forum is achieved,” Chukwuma said.

Mr Vincent Ejike, representing the battery manufacturers, called for effective and efficient government regulation on importations of batteries into the country.

He called on the government to provide bailout funds and tax reliefs among others to encourage battery manufacturers in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the Small Scale Manufacturers, Mr Ike Aroh called for better inter-relations between various sectors.

Aroh said there was need to build competence from the bottom, provide a steady power supply and bring the manufacturers together in clusters.

According to him, when this is done, it will create the environment for foreign partnerships, as they will know where the manufacturers are located.

He also reiterated the importance of investing in education infrastructure as it were key to the growth of all the various sectors.

Representing the Association of Motor Dealers in Nigeria, Mr Ajibola Adedoyin expressed the commitment of the association to support the manufacturers of component parts in the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Valentino Okorie of Mimshac Group, manufacturers of oil filters, urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure access of foreign exchange to manufactures to aid their business.

Responding, the Director-General NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to look into all the plights of the manufacturers.

Osanipin said: “everything that we have discussed, we are going to put together and ensure we work together.

“We will also deliberate on our next action plan and what we need to do to get our industry working in Nigeria.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams