To realise the objectives of the Nigerian automotive policy, Chief Executive Officer of Admiralty Motors, Maryann Chukwueke said there must be collaborative effort by financial institutions in the country to promote consumer lending, which will make ownership of vehicles affordable.

According to her, the policy which is being championed by the Federal Government through the National Automotive Design And Development Council must address consumer lending issues that would make it possible for graduates, working class people who have stable jobs, small and medium sized companies to access funds to buy cars, as part of measures to ease problem of transportation in the country.

Speaking with The Guardian in Lagos, Chukwueke said: “That is one thing that our financial institutions along with government can come together and put legislation in place to make sure that young people that are out of college and have jobs, small and medium sized companies and others will get access to funding”.

She stated that the government must put in place proper funding legislation that would assuage transport challenges across the country, stressing that “we need an organised system in the financial institutions because predominantly funding belongs to the high network individuals in the country.”

Describing the auto sector as evolving industry, Chukwueke stated that the regulator must improve on its performance to ensure that the initiative is of benefit to all Nigerians.

“Nigeria is very good with having committees, councils and parastatals but we don’t feel their performance on the ground. Usually, certain things they do are not something that is within reach of every player and stakeholders in the industry,” she noted.

She urged Nigerians to imbibe preventive maintenance culture to reduce rate of accident across the country and lessen recurring breake down and damages.

“Nigerians do not believe in servicing their cars according to manufacturer’s recommendations. We use the car until there is a problem before we think about servicing.

“I am not satisfied with the situation that prevails in the country. There are many fake materials and accessories out there that are far from the quality that we should have”, Chukwueke concluded.