‘Revive steel sector for vehicle production’

•Stakeholders kick against export of scraps
Stakeholders in the nation’s automotive value-chain sector have sought government’s intervention in resuscitating moribund steel industrial firms as part of efforts to aid the development of materials for the automotive sector.

The stakeholders involving members of the metallurgical, mining and materials division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) have equally urged government to discourage the exportation of scrap materials which could be used as materials for vehicles manufacturing if recycled.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of its yearly conference and made available to The Guardian, the stakeholders noted that no nation can industrialise without developing and actualising her iron and steel production capability, considering that the automotive sector uses up to 75 per cent by weight of steel components.

“We urge the deferral government to encourage the patronage of components and vehicles produced locally by parts manufacturing and the assembly plants, while tariffs should be increased on the import of similar items. Industrial infrastructure and automotive clusters should be developed for resources and information sharing as well as knowledge and technical expertise in the country to create rapid industrialisation.

“The local content development strategy should be crafted and must, as a matter of urgency, develop policies that promote technically competent suppliers who can keep abreast of developments in the industry with respect to technical competence, history of industrial performance and adherence to industry regulatory policies.

“The natural location and endowment of Nigeria makes it the third industrial hub in Africa which is awaiting manifestation. The foundation of any industrial revolution cannot be divorced from national steel input for the development of other ancillary industries. The new government of President Muhammadu Buhari should spare no effort in putting Nigeria in the advantaged path of realising the potential status of becoming largest Africa automotive manufacturer”, the communiqué read in part.