NADDC remains focused on auto policy implementation

Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, has identified some important components of the new National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) that the Council is working on to improve the goals of the policy.

Aliyu disclosed this in a paper he delivered as the guest of honour at the weekend at the first Kaduna automotive fair and exhibition/stakeholders conference organised by Routes and Roads transport company.

According to the DG, aside the fiscal regime which places a tariff of 35 per cent plus a levy of 35 per cent on fully Built Cars and 35 per cent tariff on fully built up commercial vehicles, other pillars of the NAIDP that which will make it sustainable are the marketing programme, standard, human capital development and local content.

On the marketing programme, Aliyu said: “Under this programme, a fund is to be established to be offered to Nigerians at low cost to finance their commercial fleets and cars.

“The programme is being re-deigned to involve more Nigerian banks. It is expected that once this is launched, more Nigerians can afford more new cars and the provision in NAIDP to restrain import of used vehicles will be applied,” he said.

He added that the development of automotive laboratories as provided for in the plant for safety tests in now at 70 per cent completion stage. There is the material test lab in Zaria, the component test lab in Enugu and the emission test lab in Lagos.

Also speaking on human capital, the DG said “A significant level of achievements has also been recorded in this aspect as NADDC continue to roll out programmes independently and with partners including the Presidency”.The NADDC boss also explained:“With the level of achievement in assembly capacity, council has increased focus on developing capacity to produce components locally.

To this end, it has commenced engagement with various state governments”. Implementation of the NAIDP started in October 2013, and is expected to be a 10-year programme.