Importers, agents and
vehicle dealers have kicked against the implementation of the Federal Government’s new auto policy in the country.
They stated that those pushing for the implementation of the policy are ignorant of the negative impact the policy would have on Nigerians particularly those who could not afford to buy brand new vehicles.
According to a Lagos-based importer, Mr Johnson Onyedibia, the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan needs to thread the implementation of the policy with caution as a result of its likely effect on ordinary Nigerians.
The auto policy will make things difficult not just for the importers and car dealers based in Nigeria but also for low income Nigerians.
He said that in no distant future, it would be difficult for many low income Nigerians to own fairly-used cars because the high duties paid on such cars will equally shoot up the prices in the market.
Onyedibia would argued that the scenario would promote smuggling of many types of vehicles into the country from Nigeria’s neighbouring countries.
The importer, noted that many importers and car dealers were currently facing hard times leading to mass retrenchment because of the current policy.