21st January, 2014
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday said with the new National Automotive Industry Policy introduced by his administration, Nigeria would soon be exporting cars to other countries.
He did not however give a time frame for the export.
The President who said this when he received a delegation of members of the business community from Anambra State that was led by the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi added that the new automotive policy is designed to industrialise the country.
“If any country will be great, we must industrialise. If Nigeria must be a great country, we must industrialise. To this end, we will continue to encourage industrialists in Anambra”.
ANAMBRA STATE, HON. CHRIS AZUBOGU, REPRESENTING NNEWI FEDERAL
CONSTITUENCY AND CHIEF AZUBUIKE OKAFOR, CHAIRMAN, MANUFACTURING
ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (ANAMBRA, ENUGU AND EBONYI STATE BRANCH),
DURING THE VISIT.
President Jonathan added that this was why his administration is also giving so much attention and resources to the power sector because of its critical role in industrialisation.
He also promised that the demands of the delegation like road, power and port would be addressed appropriately.
“I will refer all the issues you raised to the various departments of government.
“We are totally committed to creating jobs. Nigeria is a country with huge population of youths. If jobs are not created, there will be crisis. The housing, agriculture and power sectors are also receiving attention.
“In the next few years, Nigeria will begin to export cars to other countries. We are encouraging government to support local manufacturers.”
Vice President Namadi Sambo told the delegation that Jonathan had recently approved $3.7 billion to improve power transmission across the country.
Governor Obi had earlier told the President that the industrialists are ready and well-positioned to assist in the achievement of the federal government’s transformation agenda.
“You have excess credit in your political account that these people (members of the delegation) are ready to pay you when you need it.”
While thanking the President for the inclusion of Nnewi in the National Automotive Industry Policy of the Federal Government, Obi urged government to complete the 330/132/33KV power substation at Nnewi, provision of uninterrupted power supply in the Onitsha Harbour Industrial Area and Ozubulu Industrial Hub, completion of Nnamdi Azikwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and the inclusion of Anambra State in the rail master plan.
The Governor also urged government to build federal roads within the state such as Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Section 1, Nnewi-Okija, start of Onitsha Second Niger Bridge, completion of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway and completion of Umueze-Anam Kogi Roads.
The Governor said the provision of the infrastructure demanded will attract to the state ancillary industries especially with the coming on stream of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant and will drive up local content in vehicle manufacturing from 40 to 60 per cent.