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| DG NAC, Aminu Jalal |
The
Director-General, National Automotive Council, Engr. Aminu Jalal, has disclosed
that the council had disbursed N11.5 billion to 32 companies, to boost production
of automobile accessories in Nigeria.
These
accessories include brake pads, oil filters, and bumpers among others.
The
director-general made the disclosure at a news briefing in Lagos while
reiterating government’s plans to develop and sustain the industry.
”
From the N22 billion generated from the 2 per cent auto import levy collected
from 1994 to 2007, we have disbursed N11.5 billion from 2007 till date.
”
It is noteworthy that the Council was given N15 billion of the amount as government
had utilised about N7 billion.
“It
will interest you to know that our interest rate dropped from 11 per cent to
7.5 per cent and the funds are properly managed, which has made it possible
that a quarter of the loans have been returned,” he said.
Jalal
said that government’s resolve could be backed with the fact that the local
cement production had grown tremendously from 2 million tonnes to 30 million
tonnes in the last decade, while it did not have to wait for all infrastructure
to be on ground.
With
reference to financing for the automotive plan, Jamal said progress was on to
sign a Memorandum of Understanding with a South African bank renowned for
investment-friendly loan, to actually sustain the effort.
“Loans
for this plan will be given to investors at a single-digit interest.
”
Besides that, we will be giving an graded level incentive to encourage
investment into the scheme.
“Investors
can begin at entry-level, which is SKD 2, phase 1 and then, phase 2 until they
graduate into the CKD level which requires huge investment.”
He
said that for the entry-level investors, they would enjoy a ‘one-for-two’
incentive. Meaning that for assembling one vehicle locally, an investor would
enjoy importing two of same kind at no levy attached.
The
director-general however noted that the council would emphasise strongly on
quality and standard obtainable anywhere in the world.
“For
encouraging local content, 23 companies have already indicated interest and
they have started building their facilities.
”
But, it is also made known that participating will involve meeting the
standards, ability to meet up with quantity request and timely too, “he said.
He
added that a lot of manpower training had been done through the SURE-P and
development of programmes to suit courses already being offered in the
university system.
While
stating that automobile companies have indicated partnership interests in the
plan, he disclosed that Toyota Motor Company advised that the automotive policy
be legislated for better assurance of its sustainability.
