The Director-General of the Council, Aminu Jalal, said this on Tuesday in Kaduna when he led the newly inaugurated board members of the organisation on a facility visit to the Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN).

Jalal said that the development had resulted in low patronage for local car assembly plants, causing monumental losses to the country in terms of income.

“I want to tell you that last year alone, this country spent N550 billion in the importation of cars, buses and trucks. But that does not include Tractors, and military vehicles.

“Again, we also spent about N500 billion on vehicle spare parts. In fact, on tyres alone, we spent N150 billion. And this year, the same trend is showing. This is not good for our country.”

The director general, however, expressed confidence that the new automotive policy recently approved by the Federal Executive Council would reverse the trend.

“With the new policy, we are going to support our car plants to produce very standard cars at globally competitive prices. This is going to greatly add to our local content.

“For example, to assemble a car here, you need about 2,500 parts. If many cars are produced and sold here, then it would encourage the local manufacturing of these parts, creating more wealth here and driving down the cost of the vehicles.

“By the time we start implementing this policy, you will see a very positive change in just six months.”

The Managing Director of PAN, Ibrahim Boyi, said that the company production had dwindled
greatly.

“PAN, which once produced 90,000 cars in 1985, and had about 4,000 permanent employees, now produces about 3000 vehicles annually with its existing 250 members of staff,” he said.

Boyi attributed the problem of the company to the influx of second hand vehicles into the country, which made it difficult for local manufacturers to access the market.

He, therefore, called for a total ban on the importation of second hand cars “because that is what will make the local industry and the economy to grow.

“My appeal to the council is to ensure a thorough implementation of the new automotive policy which will enable the organisation achieve its aims and objectives,” Boyi said.

However, the Chairman, Board of NAC, Abdulkadir Saleh, promised that the Council would ensure strict implementation of the new Automobile Policy.

According to him, the new policy will enforce government patronage of locally assembled cars that are certified to be of global standard.

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It also observed a minute silence in honour of Akhigbe during its plenary in Abuja.

The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Abubakar Momoh (APC- Edo), which was unanimously adopted without debate when put to vote by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Emeka Ihedioha.

Momoh said that Akhigbe deserved to be honoured and mentioned in the parliament due to his contributions to national development.

He said that Akhigbe, who died on Oct.28 had contributed immensely to the nation building.

He therefore urged the House to support the motion and immortalise late Akhibe.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has expressed his shock and sadness over the death of Akhigbe.

In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described Akhigbe as a gentleman officer whose contributions and that of his peers towards restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 would remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history.

He said Nigerians would forever remain grateful to the Abdulsalami Abubakar-led regime, which Akhigbe served as deputy, for its diligence and commitment to ensure the return of democracy to the country.

“As a proof of his commitment to democratic ideals, Akhigbe continue to render selfless services to the nation post-1999 until his death on Monday.

“Nigeria has lost one of its eminent sons. I extend my condolence to his family, Fugar community in Edo, the Nigerian Navy and Nigerians as a whole,” the speaker said.

Tambuwal also prayed to God to give his family the fortitude to bear the great loss.

Meanwhile, the House had enjoined committees who had not submitted the reports of their oversight functions to do so.

The committees of the House, who went on oversight in September and October, had earlier been directed to submit their collated results to the House within one week.

The Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, said only 10 committees had so far complied with the directive.

He urged the committees to adhere to the directive, saying that names of defaulting committees would be announced on the floor of the House.

Similarly, the Committee on Aviation had requested for extension of one week time frame to complete its work on the controversial alleged purchase of BMW bullet proof cars.

The Deputy Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ahmed Chanchangi said he was seeking for the extension of time to give the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah a fair hearing on the issue.

He said that the committee could not judge the minister in her absence, hence the request for extension of time.

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