Transport
Nigeria Spends N1.05trn On Vehicles Importation
The National Automo
tive Council (NAC) says Nigeria spent about N1.05 trillion on the importation of vehicles and spare parts in 2012.
The Director-General of the Council, Alhaji Aminu Jalal, made the disclosure last Tuesday in Kaduna, when he led the newly inaugurated board members of the organisation on a facility visit to the Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN).
Jalal said that the development had resulted in low patronage for local car assembly plants, causing monumental losses to the country in terms of income.
“I want to tell you that last year alone, this country spent N550 billion in the importation of cars, buses and trucks. But that does not include tractors, and military vehicles.
“Again, we also spent about N500 billion on vehicle spare parts. In fact, on tyres alone, we spent N150 billion. And this year, the same trend is showing. This is not good for our country.”
The director general, however, expressed confidence that the new automotive policy recently approved by the Federal Executive Council would reverse the trend.
“With the new policy, we are going to support our car plants to produce very standard cars at globally competitive prices. This is going to greatly add to our local content.
“ For example, to assemble a car here, you need about 2,500 parts. If many cars are produced and sold here, then it would encourage the local manufacturing of these parts, creating more wealth here and driving down the cost of the vehicles.
“ By the time we start implementing this policy, you will see a very positive change in just six months.”
The Managing Director of PAN, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, said that the company production had dwindled greatly.
“PAN, which once produced 90,000 cars in 1985, and had about 4,000 permanent employees, now produces about 3000 vehicles annually with its existing 250 members of staff,” he said.
Boyi attributed the problem of the company to the influx of second hand vehicles into the country, which made it difficult for local manufacturers to access the market.
He, therefore, called for a total ban on the importation of second hand cars “because that is what will make the local industry and the economy to grow.
“My appeal to the council is to ensure a thorough implementation of the new automotive policy which will enable the organisation achieve its aims and objectives,” Boyi said.
However, the Chairman, Board of NAC, Alhaji Abdulkadir Saleh, promised that the council would ensure strict implementation of the new automobile policy.
According to him, the new policy will enforce government patronage of locally assembled cars that are certified to be of global standard.
Transport
Immigration Steps Up Anti-Touting Vigilance
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Passports Command, Ikoyi, has increased its surveillance on touting in a bid to check extortion within its jurisdiction.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with The Tide in Lagos, last Friday, the Immigration Comptroller, Passports Office, Ikoyi, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Liman A.I , said the negative impact of touting on the nation’s economy would not be allowed to continue under his watch.
He said ,”we are applying persuasion, dialogue and seeking the support of all well meaning stakeholders in this area to spread the anti-touting message and dissuade people from unlawful acts. However, we could apply coercive power as the need arises.
“With the selfless leadership shown by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, we at the PCO, Ikoyi, Lagos, have decided to re-dedicate ourselves to duty and complement the efforts of the CGIS.
“We are prepared more than ever to wage the anti-miscreants war relentlessly.
Liman assured the general public of friendly environment for legitimate transaction in an effort to strengthen the national economy, warning deviants to shun touting and other related vices.
According to him, “the command has keyed into the various strategies including the use of ICT in gathering of intelligence, among others.
“The service believes that the fight against miscreants within its corridor cannot be undertaken by the service alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring that the passport seekers do not patronise touts to defraud them. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total”.
On her part, the Public Relations Officer of the command, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Mrs Adetoun Shiyindemi, commended the Deputy Comptroller Liman, for his selfless service, pointing out that he has really given the officers and men of the command a sense of belonging.
“Since the Comptroller came in, it has been a servant-leader relationship here at Ikoyi PCO and we are all motivated to put in our best with what the CGIS has given us, you will see a new immigration service”, she assured.
By: NkpemenyieMcdominic, Lagos
Maritime
Union Urges NIMASA, RSG To Dredge PH/Bonny Jetty
The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Rivers State Government to dredge the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty to enhance marine operations.
The union said the low shore of the river hampers its operations and grounds boats.
The Marine Safety Officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Don, who made the call, said the low shore of the jetty was not helpful to marine operations.
According to him, drivers and passengers find it difficult to ply the route whenever the tide is low, thus wasting man hours.
“Sometimes, we push the boat to a level it would afloat due to low tide suffered in the jetty. We are appealing to NIMASA and the state government to assist and dredge the jetty for more efficiency”, he pleaded.
Don described the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty as the gateway to Bonny Island and other riverine communities, and called on NIMASA and the state government to intervene and make the marine sector viable in the area.
He said that the prompt dredging of the jetty would enhance water transportation in the state and improve its revenue generation.
He, however, commended the security agents, especially the Nigerian Navy and the marine police, for rescuing the waterways and creeks from all forms of criminality.
Comrade Don appealed to the security agents to engage in 24-hour patrol of the routes and other channels to save lives and property.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Maritime
Boat Mishaps: Ship Owner Blames Absence Of Safety Regulations
A renowned ship owner in the country, Alhaji Aminu Umar, has decried lack of standardisation and enforcement of safety measures on the nation’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He also blamed lack of will to enforce regulations, safety, standard and regulations on overloading, night voyage, rickety and old craft as causes of mishap on the inland waterways.
Alhaji Umar, who is a former president, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), said in Minna, Niger State, recently that enforcement of safety and standard on the nation’s inland waterways was weak.
Reacting to incessant boat mishaps in the country, Umar said, “there is no standard applied on movement of people, as all kinds of boat are being used. It is important that we standardise, because lack of safety and standard will increase accident.
“I think, the task of NIWA is to standardise conditions and procedures on the nation’s waterways”.
He also called for the regulation of movement of badges and passenger boats across the port environment.
“It’s a huge risk allowing badges moving containers around the port area side by side with boats carrying passengers.
“Moving people and containers at the same time is a huge risk, and a safety concern.
“NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should see to this and tackle the menace”, he said.
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