'The Federal Government HAS to patronise Made-in-Nigeria cars', stakeholders recommend

Last week, Ben Bruce purchased a Made-in-Nigeria car from Innoson Motors.

This action has sparked a lot of discussions about Nigeria's auto industry.

Now, stakeholders are asking the Federal Government to patronise the locally manufactured cars, adding that this is the only way Nigerias auto industry can grow.

READ: 'I will use only made-in-Nigeria vehicles', says Minister of Science and Technology

According to an automotive analyst, Oscar Odiboh, the lack of patronage is forcing the few plants to shut down.

“The reality on ground is affecting everybody. I know of a company that has sacked half of its work force, some others are busy converting staff from full time employment to contract staff, even when it is against the labour law to do so. When government says companies should not down size, how do you want them to pay their staff when you don’t buy vehicles from them?”

The Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Correspondents (GMC), Frank Kintum, commended the Senate's recent decision to patronise Innoson Motors.

However, he urged the Federal Government to consider other local automakers, as Nigeria's auto industry can only grow if the Federal Government patronises it.

"A healthy auto industry serves a as catalyst for the growth of all other sectors, aside its contribution to the GDP. Don’t forget that in Nigeria, we rely heavily on road transportation for both passenger and cargo movements.

Hence, it is only reasonably that the government takes more seriously the implementation of the auto policy so that the country benefits in terms of value added while making use of this means of transportation. We commend the National Assembly for its promise to patronise Innoson vehicles, but it should also consider other local auto assemblers”.

READ: Readers agree with forcing FG officials to patronise Made-in-Nigeria cars

They were supported by the Chairman of Automobile and Allied Sectoral Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), Oseme Oigiagbe, who said the 2016 budget needs to enforce the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria cars by preventing people from buying used cars, popularly known as 'Tokunbo'.

“Budget as it is today does not have policy measures to discourage importation of used cars, which is a major step towards making a success of the revised auto policy,” he recommended.

The International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (IOCA), has called the auto industry the greatest engine of economic growth.

In order for Nigeria' economy to grow, Nigerians simply have to buy Made-in-Nigeria cars.

See ‘Made-In-Nigeria’ Peugeot cars in the gallery above.