NADDC, Zamfara State To Partner On Automotive Development

By Hassana Danboyi, Abuja

The National Automotive Design and Development Council, (NADDC), said the Council is set to partner with the Zamfara State Government in creating opportunities in the automotive and allied sector in the state.

This development is coming even as NADDC begins preparations to commence the implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Bill, (NAIDP).

Speaking in Abuja on Saturday when he received the Deputy Governor of Zamafara State, Alhaji Mahdi Gusua, the Director General of NADDC, Jelani Aliyu (MFR), said the council will continue to develop and implement policies that will develop the automotive sector across Nigeria and put it on the global economic and industrial map.

Aliyu said the Nigerian government through the NADDC is working to accelerate the process of gradual transition from the importation of used cars to the manufacture and distribution of new passenger vehicles, alongside providing a conducive legislative environment that will encourage the manufacturing of motor vehicles in Nigeria.

He said the NAIDP when the implementation begins, will create endless opportunities for states, individuals and stakeholders in the automotive sector, pointing out it was lamentable that  the country spends more than 8 billion dollars annually importing used vehicles into the country, and that such practice was not sustainable for the economic growth and development of Nigeria.

The NADDC director general explained that the gradual reduction of imported used cars is critical to the success of the Nigerian automotive industry as this will open the market for new cars made in Nigeria.

The director general said the council is ready to provide the necessary training and skills development opportunities to the people of Zamfara, particularly the youths, adding  massive job creation, marketing programme, human capital development, local content development are other areas that the NADDC has worked on to ensure the success and sustainability of the expected boom in Nigeria’s automotive sector.

According to him, NADDC is also working closely with global auto manufacturers like Nissan, Toyota, BMW and Ford amongst others to ensure that wholly Nigerian produced vehicles quickly become a reality.

The NADDC boss said the  council will also consolidate on providing support, technical expertise and direction to the industry, including to indigenous vehicles manufacturers in order to fastrack the process of achieving the mandate of the council for the sustainable development of the automotive industry in Nigeria.

On his part, the Zamfara State Deputy Governor expressed appreciation for the interaction, saying the state is willing to partner with the NADDC to ensure that skills and development opportunities in the automotive industry is made available to the people of Zamfara.

He said such initiative will go a long way to address the challenges on unemployment, industrialization and insecurity in the state.

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