NADDC Advocates End To Importation Of Vehicle Tyres, Batteries

The National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, has called for an end to the importation of tyres and batteries into Nigeria to improve local content and boost the nation’s economy.

The Director General of NADDC, Mr Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin made the call in Abuja during a one day Sensitization Workshop for Stakeholders in the Nigeria Tyre and Battery Industries with the theme “Revitalizing The Automotive Value Chain In Nigeria: Strategies For Growth in the Tyre and Battery Sectors”.

Mr Joseph Osanipin said according to a survey, Nigeria spent over one trillion naira on importation of tyres last year hence the need to put an end to the importation of the product and encourage local manufacturing towards increasing the nation’s GDP and fast track national economic development.

He stated that the sensitization workshop is among other things to build upon the 2018 Tyre Conference, which identified the urgent need to revitalize the industry because the sectors today face unique challenges regarding raw material sourcing, product certification, and mandatory end-of-life recycling.

“The workshop also aims to provide a comprehensive platform for local content and NAIDP-2023, discussing implementation strategies for backward integration in tyre, lead-acid, and lithium-ion battery components, quality and compliance, educating stakeholders on the latest standards, including tyre age limits and battery performance standards” He explained

In his words ” Others include New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Technology: Detailing requirements for managing high-voltage lithium-ion batteries, including handling and charging safety.
IV. Sustainability: Clarifying roles within the ELV framework for responsible collection and recycling of waste tyres and batteries.
V. Regulatory Dialogue: Providing a direct platform for manufacturers and importers to voice industry-specific challenges and regulatory bottlenecks of the industry.”

Mr Joseph Osanipin who restated the commitment of NADDC towards encouraging patronage of made in Nigeria tyres and batteries.

In a goodwill message, the Director General,, Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke described tyre as a life threatening product and commended the NADDC for sensitizing stakeholders on the need to put an end to the importation of the product.

Also in his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association, NAMA, Mr Bawo Omagbitse who also commended NADDC for the sensitization workshop stressed the need to create a tyre market in Nigeria in view of its economic benefits to the country.

On his part, the Chairman, Motorcycles Association of Nigeria, Reverend Lambert Ekewuba called for more sensitization workshops that would encourage the patronage of made in Nigeria products most especially in the automotive industry.

The one day Sensitization Workshop which featured lectures and paper presentations by FRSC Officials and other key Stakeholders also witnessed goodwill messages from representatives from BOI, NEXIM Bank and other major Partners.

Mathew Ayoola, Edited By Grace Namiji