The Managing Director, BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, Wednesday in Lagos, called on President Bola Tinubu, to ensure that the automotive sector of the Nigerian economy remains in the front burner of his administration’s economic policy and programmes right from the onset so that Nigeria won’t continue to lose more ground in the industry to Ghana and other neighbouring countries.
Agwu made the call at the opening of the all-inclusive auto expo incorporating the 17th Lagos Motor Fair, 10th Auto Parts Expo Africa and the second Motorcycle/Tricycle Expo held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos from June 6 to June 9, 2023.
Lamenting what happened to the National Automotive Industry Development Policy/Programme (NAIDP) after the regime change in 2015, the BKG Managing Director, who is also the chairman of the organising committee of the automotive show, said the Tinubu Administration should realise the immense opportunities in the automotive sector and tap into it right from the onset .
”This edition of the all-inclusive automotive event is holding despite all odds, with the high hope and enthusiasm that the new administration in Nigeria, will give the industry the needed attention and action that will take us to the desired height. This should be done urgently so that we will not lose more ground in the industry to Ghana and other neighbouring countries.
”I urge the new government to ensure that the automotive sector of the Nigerian economy remains in the front burner of its economic policy and programmes from the onset.
”We must guard against the way change of administration usually plays out on ongoing policies of the preceding administration given what happened to the National Automotive Industry Development Policy/Programme (NAIDP) after the regime change in 2015.
”The sector is very important as it shows physically the state of the economy and it generates much revenue and creates enormous employment. No serious government toys with it. It is a sector that affects virtually everything.
“If it is not rightly re-positioned now, it will negatively affect a whole lot in the life of the people and economy in the very near future. Government should therefore parley seriously with the sector’s stakeholders to see how it could be made better, ” Agwu stated.
On the importance of this year’s event, Agwu said: “We are using this edition to re-emphasise the need to institute and drive a well-thought out policy and programme to rejig the sector to enhance the making of Nigeria the hub of automotive business in West Africa in particular and the entire continent in general.
He called on stakeholders in the sector to rally towards repositioning the sector.
“There is an urgent need for all the stakeholders to close ranks and pursue the development of the sector with more focus and dedication. They need to ensure unity of purpose and always utilise every window of opportunity such as this, to draw the attention of policy makers and implementers to the challenges in the sector.
“In unison, the stakeholders can put the issues of the sector in the front burners of economic discourse and policy in the country and ensure that it does not collapse.
We aim to use this key annual event to strengthen Nigerian autoparts markets’ role as the hub of the sector’s business in Africa. The intention is to make players in the sector from other countries in the continent to be buying from the Nigerian markets,” he said.
Commending participants and exhibitors at the event which closed on Friday, June 9, Agwu said: “I commend you all for defying all odds to be here. I wish you the best as you utilise this event to increase your enviable stake in the largest automotive market in Sub-Saharan Africa.
”I want to commend and thank in no small measure 11 Plc. for the special role
It played in this edition as a Gold Participant/Official Lubricant of the Event.
Thank you for always identifying with the need of this industry through your active participation in the event over the years and upping the tempo again this year”.
”I thank especially the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the leadership and members of various auto parts markets in Nigeria, most importantly: Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), Ladipo International Market, Clegg, Cole, Willoughby, Akilo, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Nnewi, Nkpor, Ugwuagba, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Aba, Calabar, and Uyo.
”Also my heartfelt thanks goes to the Motoring Press for their unalloyed support to us.
Our partners: China Grand International Exhibition Co. Ltd., World Trade Exhibitions, and MotorTrend Africa, thanks a lot. Let’s do it together and do better next year. Thank you and God bless.”
