FG begins inspection of automobile assembly plants

The Federal Government has commenced the inspection of local automobile assembly plants across the country as part of the implementation plan of the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan.

A statement from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on Sunday confirmed the development.

The statement quoted the minister, Mr Olusegun Aganga, as saying said during the inspection of the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria’s car assembly plant in Kaduna, that more local and international investors were taking advantage of the huge opportunities provided by the new automotive plan to invest in the country.

The minister said, “I’m greatly encouraged by the facilities I’ve seen here at PAN’s car assembly plant in Kaduna, which I am told is the biggest in West Africa.

“It shows that we are not just starting from the scratch when we say that we want to encourage automobile companies to establish and assemble their cars here in Nigeria in line with the new automotive policy.

“One of the reasons PAN’s massive and world class facility, which used to employ about 4,000 Nigerians, went under was the absence of a comprehensive and holistic auto policy that takes care of the entire automotive value chain. This is what the new auto policy wants to address.”

Aganga said he had been greatly encouraged by the announcements by reputable and global Original Equipment Manufacturers that they were coming to establish assembly plants in Nigeria.

“Nissan has said that it is coming to Nigeria, and that its first car will be produced in the country by April. They have already sent their technical team and are working with their local partners in Nigeria,” he said.

Aganga, who reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to the full implementation of the auto policy, stressed that it would continue to  provide an enabling environment and level playing field for all stakeholders in the auto industry.

He noted that the Federal Government was committed to providing an enabling environment and a level playing field for all stakeholders in the industry.

“We are ready to work with them to ensure that the policy is well implemented for the overall benefit of the Nigerian people and our economy,” Aganga said.