AUTO STAKEHOLDER

Auto exhibitions aligns with FG’s NAIDP, says NADDC boss

5th (L-R): Felica Oyebolu, assistant director, Information & Public Relations, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), representing Jelani Aliyu MFR, director-general and chief executive of NADDC, declaring this year’s Lagos Motorfair/AutoParts Expo at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos last Wednesday.

MIKE OCHONMA

Jelani Aliyu, director-general and chief executive of the National Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC) has stated that, the yearly auto exhibitions and autoparts expo organized by BKG Exhibitions Limited is not only apt, but also in line with the federal government’s synergy of achieving sustainable auto sector development and growth using private sector participation as the focus upon which the new automotive policy can be realized.

Speaking as a special guest last week during the opening ceremony of this year’s Lagos Motorfair and Autoparts Expo, the NADDC director-general represented by Felicia Oyebolu, assistant director, information and public relations unit of NADDC, Jelani Aliyu noted that, the council has over the years identified with the aspirations of both local and foreign investors, especially in the local automotive industry.

According to the NADDC DG, ‘’As we all know, the world is going green, it is pertinent to inform this gathering that, the council in a bid to develop and promote advanced technology in the Nigerian automotive industry is rapidly shifting attention to carbonless transport system in Nigeria. This is because, vehicle electrification is inevitable, it is the future of automotive industry worldwide and we are working assiduously towards achieving its comprehensive and sustainable adoption in Nigeria’’.

As a pilot scheme project, the council has established 100 percent solar powered electric charging stations at Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka and at the NADDC headquarters, Abuja.

The Council is also discussing with other stakeholders for collaboration in establishing more charging infrastructures all over the country.

The director-general insisted that, there are significant investment opportunities in Africa’s largest market automobile market and that, the council is committed to creating the enabling environment that will aid investment in the automotive sector of the Nigerian economy. “The approval of the new auto policy by the federal government is a proof of its desire to ensure that, more automobile and components are produced’’. The NADDC helmsman concluded.