[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he federal government has begun a review of the auto policy, which came into being in the former administration, says new Managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Usman
Mrs. Usman, during a tour of the Tin can Island Seaport, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and NPA Dockyard in Lagos, last week, stressed the need to re-assess the policy, an action she claimed was already ongoing.
She stated: “We are discussing with the Federal ministry of Trade and Industry and Investment regarding where we are, following the auto policy, because FGN needs to review some of its policies to determine the benefits that will accrue to the government following the period of implementation.”
The auto policy was introduced in 2013 to encourage local manufacturing of vehicles and to discourage importation of cars as well as the gradual phase out of used cars, known in Nigeria as Tokunbo.
“There has been a period of implementation of the auto policy,” she pointed out. “There is a need to take a re-look at to determine the opportunities lost by the FGN, vis-à-vis, the automotive industry. This is ongoing.”
The new Ports authority boss, whose appointment came into effect in last June, vowed to sustain discussion on the crucial matter to ensure that in timely manner that the government concludes its assessment of the policy and takes a new decision on the way forward as it relates to the revenue being lost within the Authority and also development of the auto industry itself.
Last June, while speaking in Lagos, Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister of Trade and Industry and Investment, said the federal government would not reverse the auto policy.
“We will build on what has been done,” assured the Minister. “And we want stakeholders to tell us what they want us to do to enable the policy work.”
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