New Automotive Policy: Nigeria Will Soon Start Exporting Cars To Other Countries – Jonathan
President
Goodluck Jonathan has boasted that with the recent National Automotive
Industry Policy put in place by his administration, Nigeria will soon
begin the exportation of cars to other countries. He also stressed that
the policy must come into effect as part of federal government’s
industrialization policy.
Speaking yesterday when a delegation of business community from
Anambra State led by the state governor, Peter Obi visited him at the
Presidential Villa, Abuja, Jonathan assured that his administration
would continue to encourage industrialists in the country to grow their
business.
He added that the federal government was also focusing attention and
resources to the power sector because of its pivotal role in
industrialization.
Noting that this has become necessary if Nigeria must reach its
potentials as a great nation, he said, “If any country will be great, we
must industrialize. If Nigeria must be a great country, we must
industrialize. To this end, we will continue to encourage industrialists
in Anambra.
“I will refer all the issues you raised to the various departments of
government. We are totally committed to creating jobs. Nigeria is a
country with huge population of youths. If jobs are not created, there
will be crisis. The housing, agriculture and power sectors are also
receiving attention. In the next few years, Nigeria will begin to export
cars to other countries. We are encouraging government to support local
manufacturers”.
The president assured that industrialists’ basic needs such as road, power and ports would be looked into appropriately.
Also speaking, Vice President Namadi Sambo said the president had not
long ago approved $3.7 billion to improve power transmission across the
country.
Speaking earlier, Governor Obi told the president that the
enterprising and preserving nature of Anambra people make them
well-positioned to assist him in the achievement of his
administration’s transformation agenda.
Declaring the support of people of Anambra State for Jonathan, Obi
said, “You have excess credit in your political account that these
people (members of the delegation) are ready to pay you when you need
it”, adding that he led the delegation to express their support for the
President and bring to his attention some of their collective needs
which if addressed, will help in anchoring the growth and development of
industries in the state.
He listed some of the needs to include the completion of the
330/132/33KV power substation at Nnewi, provision of uninterrupted power
supply in the Onitsha Harbour Industrial Area and Ozubulu Industrial
Hub, completion of Nnamdi Azikwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and the
inclusion of Anambra State in the rail master plan.
He also pleaded with the president to assist in the rehabilitation
and reconstruction of federal roads within the state such as
Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Section 1, Nnewi-Okija, start of Onitsha Second Niger
Bridge, completion of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway and completion
of Umueze-Anam Kogi Roads.
Thanking the president for the inclusion of Nnewi in the National
Automotive Industry Policy of the Federal Government, Obi noted that it
would attract many ancillary industries especially with the coming on
stream of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant in Kogi State.
As
previously reported by Information Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan
has submitted the list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for
confirmation on Tuesday before jetting out to Davos, Switzerland for the
World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting.
The
Canadian High Commission has denied media reports that a state visit
being planned by President Goodluck Jonathan to Canada in February has
been cancelled by the Canadian government.
