By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA — The Federal Government is now working out modalities to complete the on-going Ajaokuta Steel Complex, AJASCO,  within the shortest possible time to help boost  automotive local component manufacturing, ALCM, in the country.

Executive Director of Centre for Automotive Design and Development, CADD, Zaria, Dr. Fidelis Achive, who disclosed this at a workshop in Nnewi, Anambra State, yesterday, said the project had reached about 90 per cent completion at the moment.
He further disclosed that when completed and operational, raw materials would be sourced from the complex to meet quality and quantity standards required by local manufacturers of automotive components.

He noted that with the recent successful launch of the Nigerian Automotive Industrial Police, NAIDP of Nigeria, by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, vehicle makers had started establishing manufacturing plants in the country.
Achive added that for now, component parts in form of completely knocked down parts, CKD, and semi knocked down parts, SKD, used for assembling vehicles were supplied from the home countries of vehicle manufacturers 100 per cent for assembly operations in Nigeria.

He also noted that to assist the ALCM in realization of this noble objectives, CADD had worked on a Memorandum   of Understanding, MoU, with the National Metallurgical Development Centre, NMDC, Jos, for component testing and ancillary services.
He added that the MoU would be ready for signing by the chief executives of the two agencies by September 11, 2014.