By Nwabueze Okonkwo

Onitsha—The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to achieve 100 percent local content in the vehicle manufacturing sector in the country in the next few years.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, spoke at Nnewi, Anambra State while unveiling the first made-in-Nigeria car manufactured by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, IVM, said Nigeria had already achieved 60 to 70 percent local content but that the country is targeting 100 percent local content in the next few years.

Aganga disclosed that the new auto policy designed by the federal government would lead to the establishment of three vehicle manufacturing plants in three different zones of the country including Lagos/Ibadan for the west, Kaduna/Kano for the North and Nnewi for the East.

The Minister appealed to Anambra State government to approve a certificate of occupancy, C of O to facilitate the establishment of the proposed plant for the Eastern zone.

According to him, “It is special and historic to unveil the first made-in-Nigeria cars manufactured by the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Nnewi. No country manufactures 100 percent of all the components and we are unveiling cars that have up to 70 percent local content. Nnewi has made history. It’s another government milestone.”