NADDC urges stakeholders to embrace regulation of sector

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has urged stakeholders in the industry to embrace regulation of the sector. This is to guarantee the safety and environmental soundness of vehicles circulating in the country.

The Director General of NADDC, Mr Oluwemimo Osanipin, made the call on Wednesday in Uyo. He mentioned this in his remarks at the stakeholders meeting on used cars import and dealership regulation in Nigeria.

Osanipin said that the Council was committed to ensuring sanity in the automotive industry. They plan to do this by safeguarding public safety and protecting the environment.

He said that all those involved in vehicle importation, distribution, and marketing must be registered. They must also be regulated. This is necessary to avoid flooding the Nigerian market with accident vehicles.

“This regulation is not merely a formality; it is crucial for several fundamental reasons. 

It ensures the safety and environmental soundness of vehicles circulating within our market. It actively combats the illicit trade of smuggled, accidented, flooded, and aged vehicles.

“And crucially, it addresses the detrimental impact that unregulated used vehicles can have on human lives. It also affects our national economy and the environment.

“By effectively regulating Motor Dealers, we are committed to safeguarding public safety. We are also protecting our environment. Additionally, we nurture a sustainable and responsible automotive market for all,” Osanipin said.

Osanipin urged stakeholders to work together. Their cooperation is crucial to sanitise the industry. They should also aim to achieve the goals and objectives of the Federal Government in the sector.

The DG said registration of motor dealers in the country was a necessary step. It would create the foundational enabling environment for the automotive sector. This would allow it to not only survive but to truly thrive and innovate.

He said that the National Automotive Design and Development Council remains steadfast in its commitment to steering the transformative journey.

He added that the goal was to drive sustainable growth and comprehensive development within Nigeria’s automotive sector.

Mr Bawo Omagbitse, the Chairman of Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), made remarks. He said that registration would benefit all the critical stakeholders. Regulation would also be beneficial.

He said that regulation was a critical aspect for dealers and manufacturers in the automotive industry.

He said that it imposes responsibility on the stakeholders, stressing that manufacturers must ensure that the public accepts products.

“For us to grow, the dealership must be regulated. Once the public begins to have trust, we will go to places,” he said.

In his keynote address, the President of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) is Mr Ajibola Adedoyin. He emphasized the importance of regulating imported vehicles into the country. He stated this was necessary for security reasons.

Adedoyin said that manufacturers must work with AMDON to encourage the local production of automotive vehicles.

He noted that regulation would ensure that all vehicles imported into the country be traced to a dealer. He expressed displeasure that non-regulation has allowed anybody to import vehicles into the country, which is a security threat.