The move by the Federal Government to seal the land borders
and prevent the importation of cars is one that would lead to several gains in
Nigeria’s economy and stimulate local assemblage and create jobs.
General Manager Strategy and Marketing, Peugeot Automobile
Nigeria (PAN), Mr. Bawo Omagbese stressed this when chairmen of two committees
of the House of Representatives and their members visited his company in Kaduna on
Wednesday.
He explained that beside ensuring job security and opening
up of new opportunities, the move would also earn more revenue for the country.
He argued that the porous land borders make it easy for
smugglers to bring in vehicles at lower costs and make the competition with
genuine dealers frustrating.
Mr. Omagbese while doing a presentation to the visitors,
appealed to them to make laws that would support growth of local industries,
which would in no little ways contribute to the growth of the economy.
He explained that the automobile industry is a
catalyst for economic growth and development in every
major country in the world, adding that it contributes in providing support to
other subsidiary industries.
“Our growth drive includes promoting drive for increased
local content, investing in people to improve productivity and running the most
modern and well equipped training centre which focuses on technical, vocational
and entrepreneurial training in Nigeria,|” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on
Intergovernmental Affairs, Honourable Hussaini Suleiman Kangiwa said
that they were there on a fact finding mission, aimed at seeking the best ways
to serve Nigerians better.
He explained that the motion aimed at suspending the ban on
importation of vehicles through the land borders was referred to his committee
and the Committee on Customs and Excise.
Honourable Kangiwa said that they didn’t want to work based
on hearsays that is why they were there to seek out better ways that would be
beneficial to the country.
“You are major stakeholders in the motion that is why we are
here to listen to you and hear things out for ourselves. Do not consider this
visit as a waste of time or as witch hunting, but as a fact finding mission,”
he said.
After the inspection of some of the facilities at PAN,
Chairman House Committee on Customs and Excise, Honourable Rufai Ahmed
Chanchangi said that they would always encourage patronage of local products,
hence each of the 360 members of the House of Representatives would be using a
PAN product as official vehicles.
On the closure of land borders, he said that for the fact
that most Nigerians cannot afford to buy new vehicles for now, they would not
go all out to support ban of fairly used vehicles.
