Govt Ministries, Agencies Banned From Purchasing Imported Vehicles
The National Automative Design and Development Council (NADDC) has stated that it has concluded modalities to implement the ‘Nigeria First Policy,’ which was signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The Director-General of the NADDC, Joseph Osanipin said this in Abuja on Friday at a joint press conference with the Bureau of Public Procurement on the implementation of Nigeria First Policy, noting that for decades, Nigeria has remained a major consumer of foreign-assembled automotive products, which has strained foreign exchange reserves, exported local jobs and suppressed the growth of domestic manufacturing.
“We are fundamentally shifting the Nigeria First Policy. All vehicles procured by ministries, departments and agencies, including project utility vehicles, must be sourced exclusively from licensed local assemblers or their authorised retailers.
“Also, no ministry, department or agency may procure a foreign-assembled vehicle unless it explicitly proves the absence of a domestic alternative and obtains direct presidential clearance.
“Every vehicle supplied to the government must carry a traceable Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verified through the NADDC. Any supply outside licensed local assembly lines will attract immediate regulatory sanctions, including blacklisting and licence revocation,” he explained
He added that the NADDC was fully prepared to execute its mandate in seamless collaboration with the BPP while charging local assemblers to brace up for the task ahead Dr Adedokun, the Director-General of the BPP, noted that Nigeria First Policy would drive industrialisation, create jobs and boost the economy./TRUST
