Association’s Boss Wants FG To Boost Auto Industry

The President of the
Motor Dealers Association of Nigeria (MDAN), Ben Ogwuma has called on the Federal Government to put in place policies that could boost the automobile industry.
Ogwuma, who made the call at a seminar organised by the National Automobile Council (NAC) in Kaduna recently said with such policies, auto dealers would continue to employ the teeming youths of the country and reduce unemployment and crime rate.
According to him, auto dealers have helped Nigeria directly or indirectly through the creation of job opportunities and promised to redouble their efforts if the government mapped out plans to assist the body.
He noted that the guidelines drafted by the council were stringent in such a way that auto dealers find things difficult to operate freely, but promised that they would comply with the authorities.
The auto dealers president further noted that the new guidelines should include inputs from the association as well as ensure that only new motor dealers are made to stock auto spare parts, while imported used vehicles should not attract warranty.
Ogwuma appealed to the Federal Government to reduce the levy and duty of imported used vehicles into the country as the 70 per cent could create loss of jobs for dealers.
“We strongly suggest that 35 per cent on tariff and 35 per cent levy increase on importation of used vehicles should be reduced to 21 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, he opined, and reiterated that mechincal engineers, panel beaters, auto engineers, washermen and even vulcanisers are some of the artisans that have benefited from vehicle dealership.
It would be recalled that there had been controversy over the automobile policy as different groups have diverse opinions on its passage into law.