VON alleges threat to its investments in Nigeria

Automotive assembler, VON Automobile Nigeria Limited has said it is under threat by deliberate blackmail to belittle its efforts in promoting made-in-Nigeria vehicles.

Managing Director of the organisation, Adetokunbo Aromolaran, while refuting allegations of economic sabotage by some lawmakers, stated that the company remains committed to economic development of the country.

Speaking in Lagos during a media tour of the company’s facilities, Aromolaran, who is also the President of Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) said Senator Hope Uzodinma-led Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff had on October 28, 2016 during one of its oversight assignments, claimed it discovered 1,500 units of exotic vehicles concealed in the Volkswagen warehouse, wondering if the vehicles were assembled at a deserted facility with disused equipment.

The Committee, according to him, had therefore labeled the company as economic saboteur, stating it would organise a public hearing to unravel allegations of sharp practices

But Aromolaran said the allegation was a smirk of a preconceived plan to embarrass the company.

“Save for economic recession that took a toll on the vehicle market with plummeting sales and subsequent production cuts, a typical inventory of vehicles awaiting delivery should outweigh current inventory holding,” he said.

Speaking about a recent publication in media, he said: “Rather than investigate their story, some media houses make themselves easy tools in the hands of mischievous blackmailers.”

Aromolaran, who claimed the oversight visit to the plant was presumptuous added: “We were at a loss whether the oversight team was a visit to VON Automobile Nigeria Limited, the vehicle assembly plant or a customs raid on a commodity warehouse.”