NECA calls for consistency in auto policy implementation

THE Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed what it described as ‘grave concern’ over recent calls by some individuals for the Muhamadu Buhari’s administration to jettison the ‘laudable’ National Automotive Policy.

NECA recalled that the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) was hailed as a welcome development when it was initiated.

According to NECA, policy is designed to stimulate growth in the automotive industry and overall evolution of the economy, ‘It was also viewed to be of immense strategic importance to the economy, being a critical employment multiplier”.

Speaking in Lagos, the Director General of NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo said: “One developmental challenge of Nigeria and major hindrance to sustainable national growth had been successive Government’s policies inconsistency and programmes somersault.

The time has come for succeeding Government to put the economic interest of the Country ahead of political considerations. Government should imbibe the culture of adopting well-meaning policies of past Governments. The Automotive Policy is one of such that needed to be sustained”.

He urged the Buhari administration to ignore calls for the reversal of the policy, adding that, “this would be detrimental to the economy”.

He said: “Government should sustain and deepen the policy through a faithful implementation, without waiver or threat of possible reversal, except for the recognition of certain categories of non-luxury heavy duty vehicles that cannot and will not be assembled in Nigeria”.

Oshinowo said; “President Buhari will do well by ignoring the clamour to lower import tariff on Automobile products, as this will negatively impact on the policy. It will end up promoting importation, which is not in tandem with the contents and spirit of the automotive policy, to promote assembling in the country”.

He reiterated the need for the National Automotive Industry Development Plan to be backed up by an Act of the National Assembly to ensure commitment and prevent reversal, thereby promoting backward integration and diversification.