Mariam Abeeb
The Federal Government has restated its support for the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), South Africa , and other automobile investors.
It said that it would continue to provide an enabling environment for doing business in Nigeria.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Nkiruka Anite, said this at a meeting with AAAM and Nigerian Automotive Manufaturers Association (NAMA) in Abuja.
Anite urged AAAM to reopen its business in the country, saying the country was ready.
According to the Minister, President Bola Tinubu-led administration is keen at driving industrialisation in the country.
“We want to see your presence here, we know you shut down your plants because some things were not happening, but we want you to reopen your plants.
“We want to assure you that those things are happening now, so have no fear whatsoever. If you have foreign exchange challenge to import your raw materials. we have raw materials here.
“Tell us what you need, and I am sure our components parts here will give it to you.If you have standard specifications, I am sure our SON will give you the support.
“If you have issues with certain policy implementation on trade policy, we are here. This is a working government. We do not just issue policies. We work,’’ she said.
On finance, the minister said there were funds available for the manufacturers, and the president also pledged to ensure more funds were available for manufacturers to access.
Anite said: “for every manufacturer, this is a good time to produce in Nigeria. There are difficulties, but that is why we are here to solve them.
“The policy is no longer in-consistent in Nigeria. Whatever issue we have in Nigeria, we have a local solution to it, and we are proud of that.
“So do not be afraid, sit with the industry and see what we have, in areas you need more clarification we will be happy to provide that.
“What we are saying to you is that you have to produce here because we do not want to continue to import.’’
Anite reiterated the desire of the government to support every manufacturer in the country, both local and foreign with policies, incentives, and every support necessary to thrive.
She said: “yes the economy is challenging, but it is through the challenges that you will have the opportunities.
“So, I encourage you to invest. We will make sure we continue to create the enabling environment to support industrialisation and the growth of our economy.”
According to the minister, there is a huge demand for vehicles, which has led to increased importation of already used vehicles in the country.
Anite, therefore, restated the need for us to increase production of Nigerian made vehicles and at an affordable cost to reduce the importation of used vehicles into the country.
“If the cars we produce are not cheap enough and do not meet our demand, then there is no way we can stop the importation of vehicles, and that is why we have started this journey.
“One of the ways to reduce cost effectively is to make sure that we source our materials locally and we (government) will give you all the support that is necessary,’’ she said,
Mrs Martina Biene, the President of AAAM, commended the efforts of the government geared towards the implementation of the Nigerian Automotive Industrial Development Plan (NAIDP).
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has made huge effort and huge steps to have an automotive policy.
