The Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, Jelani Aliyu disclosed that the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) introduced by the government in 2014 had to be returned for review.

The policy meant to encourage local assembling of vehicles became contentious as President Muhammadu Buhari refused to give assent after lawmakers had passed the bill.

Jelani at a press briefing in Abuja said that the bill is now at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment and will be going back to the National Assembly as an executive bill.

He said the bill is expected to receive quick passage with the president assenting to it this time as it had gone through holistic review with all stakeholders making input.

Read Also: No National Order of Merit award winner in 2022, says chairman

According to him, stakeholders, including relevant government agencies and private sector players have all made input in the latest review.

He said the auto industry remained crucial to the development of the nation’s economy,  adding that the agency is on course with the NAIDP as a tool to transform the industry, despite its implementation challenges.

“I want  to state that many automakers, including Toyota and Volkswagen, have agreed to establish plants in Nigeria as a result of their belief in the merits of the auto industry plan”.

According to him, “More than 30,000 Nigerian youths had been trained in modern auto technology, just as he disclosed that 18 auto training centres were established across the country for this purpose and we urge Nigerians to patronise Nigeria-assembled vehicles to increase job creation and boost auto business in Nigeria,”

The DG said with over $1 billion investments in Nigeria’s auto Sector so far, the sector is poised to contribute hugely to economy in few years to come.