President Goodluck Jonathan applauded the decision of one of the leading Japanese automobile manufacturers, Nissan, to build a Manufacturing plant in Nigeria.
In his post on the official Facebook page the President was optimistic about the future of such an ambitious project:
Not too long ago, we announced a new National Automobile Policy. I am happy to note that the policy is now attracting great interest in our country with the consequential benefit for job creation and savings for our nation. The announcement by the Nissan Corporation that it will be investing in our country by way of manufacturing its brand of cars in Nigeria is very heart warming. With the confirmation that Nigeria ranks fourth in the world as the fastest Return on Investment (RoI), I hereby call on other world class automobile manufacturers and other businesses to also begin their journey to establish factories in Nigeria as we have a well trained and hardworking work force, at home and abroad, ready to add value to the growth of businesses and our country. GEJ
If the project develops, Nissan will become the first global carmaker to build cars in Nigeria since west Africa's largest economy rolled out a policy to tempt investors into its nascent automotive industry.
The first vehicle to be introduced was expected to be the Nissan Patrol SUV next year. The plant would also be opened to French auto group Renault, though the companies did not give any details.
Japan’s Nissan is aiming to double annual sales in Africa by 2016 from 110,000 units last year. It already plans to launch the Datsun brand in South Africa before the end of next year.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government battles cars’ importation, by drastically increasing customs fees and duties on imported vehicles starting from January 2014. Nevertheless, development of local automobile industry is encouraged. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
This is a welcome development.
ReplyDeleteBut what I find strange is the fact that in anticipation of a manufacturing plant that is yet to take off, the government is already going tough on importation of cars.
If you ask me, we as Nigerians should not be too optimistic about the so called factory,government should also be sincere enough to tell us if it is an assembly plant or an auto manufacturing factory that is intended.
For me anything short of an auto manufacturinfg plant is not acceptable.
We as a country should borrow a leaf from India. They develop a local car brand, promoted it to the point of ensuring that it becomes the official cars of everyone in government, today India has a roboust auto plant where vehicles of Indian origin are manufactured.
Nissan is coming to nigeria to expand their market base in Africa and never, (mark my word) never interested in helping us develop nigerian indigenous vehicle manufacturing plant like India today has.
This is a welcome development.
ReplyDeleteBut what I find strange is the fact that in anticipation of a manufacturing plant that is yet to take off, the government is already going tough on importation of cars.
If you ask me, we as Nigerians should not be too optimistic about the so called factory,government should also be sincere enough to tell us if it is an assembly plant or an auto manufacturing factory that is intended.
For me anything short of an auto manufacturinfg plant is not acceptable.
We as a country should borrow a leaf from India. They develop a local car brand, promoted it to the point of ensuring that it becomes the official cars of everyone in government, today India has a roboust auto plant where vehicles of Indian origin are manufactured.
Nissan is coming to nigeria to expand their market base in Africa and never, (mark my word) never interested in helping us develop nigerian indigenous vehicle manufacturing plant like India today has.
Good one, okwudili..
ReplyDeleteJay....
I HOPE NISSAN CAR MANUFACTURING IS REAL MANUFACTURING AND NOT (CKD) LIKE PEOUGOT AND VOLKSWAGEN DID TO OUR COUNTRY.
ReplyDeleteSTEVE.
I am clear to understand the content which is very handy for me, and on this subject I will tell something that when you want to go to buying real car you should observation car's market for buying the best car that will be long last very sophisticated to me. Thanks for letting it.
ReplyDeletedevid