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Auto policy: IPI sues for affordable made-in-Nigeria vehicle

By Editor
18 March 2016   |   2:27 am
Except the provisions of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) are effectively implemented to catalyse the development of the nation’s automotive sector, enjoying a more ...
Innoson

Innoson

Except the provisions of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) are effectively implemented to catalyse the development of the nation’s automotive sector, enjoying a more affordable made-in-Nigeria vehicle may be far from sight.

These were the words of the Director of Operations, Iron Products Industries (IPI), Lagos, Davies Ikegbula, who said the organisation has started assembling Tata trucks in Nigeria.
Ikegbula, who addressed journalists in Lagos, said that the NAIDP, popularly known as the automotive policy has what it takes to make Nigeria the hub of the continent’s automotive market.

Showcasing the company’s chain of production facilities in the Ikotun area of Lagos, where commercial vehicles of various brands, including Tata, are assembled, Ikegbula remarked that timely execution of the policy, which seeks to revitalise the auto industry by discouraging vehicle importation and encouraging local production, could help boost activities in the industry.

He said leveraging on the policy would lead to the production of affordable, but top quality vehicles for the local market and export.

According to him, existing auto plants like IPI, Innoson and Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited, as well as new original equipment investors attracted by the NAIDP, have the capacity to meet the nation’s vehicular needs, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles and special purpose articulated vehicles.

He urged the Federal Government to introduce incentives and policies that would help the local industry to thrive, in addition to addressing the challenges which have militated against progress in the industry, particularly the problem of power and high exchange rate.

Described as the clear leader in the structural steel works and steel fabrication industry in the country, IPI’s main factory on Ikotun-Egbe road, Ikotun, Lagos, was busy when visited as sundry heavy duty truck bodies were in various stages of construction.

At work were a wide range of high precision equipment, including cutting and bending machines that were fabricating steel frames and metal sheets for the construction of trailers, tankers, and bottle carriers for the brewing and bottling companies.

Ikegbula stressed that the plant has a large clientele of satisfied corporate customers, including breweries and bottling companies who are pleased with IPI’s quality of work and quick delivery policy, especially on the six and 10 pallet carriers.

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