By  THEODORE OPARA
Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions, organisers of the annual Abuja and Lagos Motor Shows, Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu has said that the rapid development of the nation’s auto sector will be very vital to the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s vision 2020 goal.

According to the BKG Exhibition boss “to achieve meaningful and substantial progress in the transformation agenda of the president’s vision 2020 goals, the rapid development of the automobile sector must be given a priority.

*Morris Garages

Mr. Agwu who stated this during a press briefing to announce the kick-off date for the 13th Abuja Motor Show, scheduled to hold between October 12 to 20, 2011, said “all over the automotive industry has become a vital element in fast-tracking economic development as a single car is made up of over 3,000 components.”

In addition to this, motor vehicle production, and sales are among the catalysts that enhance economic growth and development because they have a lot of positive multiplier effects on virtually all sectors of the economy.

Positive effects

Noting that the positive effects of the auto industry on other sectors of the economy are quite enormous and therefore cannot be neglected especially at this time of transformation, Mr. Agwu called on the federal government to pay attention to this very important sector of the economy which has suffered serious neglects over the years.

Reasonable percentage of Nigerian steel production and rubber output will be required in the automotive industry, which is also the largest single consumer of machine tools.

Moreover, the special requirements for mass production of automotives will have a big influence on the design and development of highly specialized machine tools and thus encourage technological advancement in petroleum refining, steel making, paint and plate-glass manufacturing, and other industrial processes.

For instance, countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, Sweden, China, and Germany, use automobile and allied products exports to enhance the balance of their international trade.

He said that the multifaceted characteristics and all-embracing features of the automobile sector as experienced in most developed nations would enhance an accelerated transformation of the nation’s economy within a short period; adding that, over 90% of Nigerians are directly and indirectly employed by the automotive industry. Its development and growth also have significant influences over every other sector of the economy.

Automotive industry impacts are far more than big manufacturing plants and the people who work in them are many. Huge percentage of employment generation in Nigeria could be achieved through the development of the auto industry.

The industry is a high revenue earner to all the tiers of government and even corporate organisations and individuals.  Mr. Agwu said that the automotive industry is the backbone of every efficient transport system, adding that an efficient transport system also implies the progressive reduction of social costs.

He however advocated for automotive production and development programmes and policies that would support, promote and advance the future as well as the sustainability of Nigeria automotive sector.

“Encouraging domestic manufacturing and production of automobile products and spare parts in Nigeria would undoubtedly contribute to creating more jobs, Mr. Agwu stated.

“Government should endeavour to grow the automotive industry to levels that will enable it to contribute further to job creation and inclusive economic growth. He said putting the automotive industry as one the top priorities will eradicate poverty and create millions of jobs.

One of the ways the government can encourage the development of the industry is supporting what we are doing through the Abuja and Lagos Motor Fairs. Also the vision 2020 must be revisited to ensure that power, infrastructural and development of the automotive sector take the front seat.

At the forthcoming Abuja International Motor Fair, virtually all the major auto brands will be on display as local manufacturers and dealers as well as their foreign counterparts are preparing to participate in a big way. According to Mr. Agwu, “the brands are many; the range wide; the price affordable and; the offer irresistible.”

Disclosing that virtually all the notable auto brands in the country have booked for space for the fair, Mr. Agwu said Abuja  Motor Fair remains the an unparalleled gathering of established  automobile brands as well as new entrants, ranging from passenger cars, trucks, Pick ups, busses, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, spare parts and accessories and many more.

Mr, Agwu explained the objectives of the fair is to stimulate the enormous potentials in the automobile, parts and accessories market in the country, and to create a forum for players in the industry to display their products.

“Others are to give the general public the advantage of meeting all key players in one place, and to give the players a feedback forum on their products and services.

He said the fair would be spiced by entertainment activities and side attractions such as: fashion shows, musical performances, cultural shows and many more. Agwu maintained that this year edition would be loaded with intense publicity as his organisation has decided to feature the fair’s media campaign in both local and foreign media.

‘We have included CNN and other Nigerian media in our media plan for the fair.