At Lagos motor fair, stakeholders urge govt to address sector’s challenges

STAKEHOLDERS in automobile sector have stressed the need for government to urgently address the bottlenecks faced by the sector, stating that this would help revamp industrialisation in the country.

This comes even as the stakeholders called for the review of the automotive policy.

They made the submission at the opening ceremony of the 13th Lagos Motor fair, and seventh Autoparts Expo Africa, in Lagos, on Wednesday.

Managing Director, BKG Exhibitions Limited, Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, said the spare parts sector is currently being confronted with challenges as automobile companies have seen a huge number of them with little or no sales, with some either closing shop or downsizing, while the surviving ones rely on after sales.

He called on government to urgently address the myriads of challenges confronting the industry, as doing so is the lasting secret to Nigeria’s coming coming from the vicious cycle economic underdevelopment.

This, Agwu said, is based on empirical evidences of the potentials of the industry, as it continuously plays strategic and catalytic roles in economic development; especially in the areas of employment generation, increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Small and Medium Enterprises development, which are key to robust economic development. Agwu, who doubles as the

Chairman, Organising Committee of the fair, urged individuals, public and private sectors to take advantage of the gathering to see all that the industry offers in the nation, and make the best use of them.

“For all the stakeholders, we need to have unity of purpose; celebrate this event as is done globally, to showcase our potential and capabilities. It should be an event that we all should always support and make the best of. These would help in unleashing the required synergies to enhance the development of the sector for the good and benefit of all,” he said.

In his remarks, President of Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), Dr. D.C. Offorkansi, urged representatives of automakers to replicate the transfer of technology in producing vehicles abroad to Nigeria, by establishing their manufacturing plants in the country.

Offorkansi, who was represented by Chairman, Trade and Investment Committee, ASPAMDA, Jasper Onyezor, said government has not been supportive in the spare parts business, warning that the sub-sector is endangered.

“Spare parts business is critical to the automobile sector in the country; we are doing our best to ensure spare parts are available and affordable for all Nigerians,” he said.