The new government auto policy is expected to generate about 700, 000 direct and indirect jobs and boost both petrochemical and tyre sector of the nation’s economy.

The Director General of the Nigerian Automotive Council, (NAC) Engr. Aminu Jalal gave the hint at the opening ceremony of the 16th edition of Abuja Motor fair, organized by BKG Exhibitions Limited.

The DG, who was represented at the occasion by the agency’s deputy director, administrations, Alh. R.B. Salau, maintained that the new policy will also salvage the honour and tastes of Nigerians and bring out the component of the new national industrial revolution plan.

This is even as the Vice President Arch. Namadi Sambo reiterated that to achieve the full potentials of the new National Automotive Development Plan (NAIDP) all stakeholders in the automotive industry must support and key into the project.

Sambo, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of State, FCT, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide, said government is working hard to promote manufacturing of automobiles as against importation into the country.

Sambo expressed optimism that soon made-in-Nigeria cars will jostle for space in motor fairs around the world, stressing that with tenacity of the organizers of the annual fair, Nigeria will become gateway to the African auto market.

“The commitment of this administration in the promotion of manufacturing and assemblage of automobiles as a strategy of launching Nigeria into the class of car manufacturing nations is without doubt.

Automobile consumer nation

The necessity to move Nigeria from an automobile consumer nation to producers cannot be over emphazied. We hope that very soon, made-in-Nigeria cars will jostle for space in motor fairs both in Nigeria and globally, along with the Toyotas, the Hondas, and Peugeots of this world” stated the VP.

The FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed urged the automobile dealers in the country to take advantage of the large parcel of land earmarked in Tunga-Maje, near Zuba by the FCT administration for automotive market.

According to the minister, the land will provide the benefits of localization of the industry as well as build synergy and spin-off the necessary multiplier effects.

“I would like to remind automobile dealers and stakeholders of the large parcel of land earmarked by the FCT Administration in Tunga-Maje, near Zuba, for an Abuja Auto-mart. This is envisioned to stem the chaos in the sales of automobiles, especially of the second-hand type, in every nook and cranny of the city. It is, therefore, envisaged that the place will secure for dealers, the benefits of localization of the industry, build synergy and spin-off the necessary multiplier effects” he stated.