ABUJA – Vice-President Namadi Sambo in Abuja on Thursday stated the Federal Government’s commitment to restore the declining fortunes of automobile manufacturing and assemblage in the country.
Sambo spoke at the opening ceremony of the 16th Abuja International Motor Fair, saying the Federal Government would continue to support the local automobile industry.
Sambo, represented by the Minister of State, FCT, Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide, said the country needed to transit from automobile consumption to production.
“To achieve this goal, it is my belief that all hands must be on the deck.
“Our achievements in sports and success in the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease are great testaments to what we can accomplish if we work together,” he said.
The vice-president said the motor fair, aimed at providing opportunities for automobile companies to showcase their products and services, was a welcome development.
According to him, the fair is in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan who has expressed commitment to restore the industry.
Sambo said the commitment to restore the fortunes of the industry was in realisation of the sector’s strategic role in the economic development of any nation.
“This includes its capacity for employment generation, GDP contribution and Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprises development.
“We hope that very soon, Made-in-Nigeria cars will jostle for space in motor fairs both in Nigeria and globally along with the Toyotas, the Hondas and Peugeots of this world,” he added.
In his remark, Mr Ifeanyi Agu, the Managing Director, BKG Exhibitions, the organisers of the fair decried the poor level of participation in the fair.
He called on the Federal Government to revisit some aspects of its automotive policy to encourage companies in the sector to remain in business.
Agu urged the FCT administration to take advantage of the fair to promote tourism in the territory. (NAN)
