Car Dealer Seeks Waiver On Import Duties

A motor dealer, Mr Ayo Ogunsan, has advised the Federal Government to waive import duties on automobiles and spare parts to reduce their prices.

Ogunsan, who is the Managing Director of Executive Motors Ltd, told journalists in Lagos that the waiver would boost activities in the industry and enhance people’s access to quality automobiles.

He said that the country relied heavily on imported automobiles and that this did not augur well for the economy.

The dealer decried the dwindling fortunes of the local automobile sector and urged the government to help the course of the sector by ensuring 48-hour cargo clearance at the ports.

Ogunsan said that car importers were required to tender as much as 74 documents to clear a vehicle, making the process cumbersome and expensive.

He urged the government at all levels to patronise the local motor dealers instead of importing cars that were available in the country.

Ogunsan also said that the local auto industry would thrive if auto manufacturers launched their new brands in Nigeria.

“If the launching cannot be done simultaneously, at least the time lag within which such brands are introduced into the Nigerian market should be reduced,” he said.

The dealer said that he would like to see a more united body of auto dealers in 2012 and appealed to the government to give priority to the industry.