NADDC Moves to Curb Motorcycle, Tricycle Parts Imports at Stakeholders’ Forum in Lagos

 

By oluwaseyi fadoro 

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has intensified efforts to boost local automotive production with a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme on the implementation of its Import Deletion Programme for motorcycle and tricycle component parts.

The event, held at Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja, brought together manufacturers, assemblers, and key industry players to discuss strategies for reducing the importation of selected automotive parts and promoting local production.

Speaking at the programme, the Director-General of NADDC, Mr. Oluwemimo Joseph, said one of the core mandates of the council is to identify automotive components being imported into the country and recommend measures to curb their importation where local capacity exists.

According to him, continued dependence on imported parts offers little economic benefit to Nigeria, stressing that the Import Deletion Programme is designed to encourage indigenous manufacturers to produce components locally.

“When you localise production, it comes with numerous economic benefits such as job creation, expansion of the economy, and increased capacity building. It is better for manufacturers in Nigeria to produce quality components that are suitable for our local weather and operating conditions,” he said.

Joseph explained that before rolling out the programme, the council engaged manufacturers of motorcycles and tricycles, noting that the initiative would begin with components that are relatively easy to produce locally.

“We are starting with parts that can be manufactured without highly sophisticated equipment. The machinery and funds required are within reach, and we are ready and capable to commence,” he added.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Motorcycles Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Rev. Lambert Ekewuba, identified policy inconsistency as a major challenge facing local production.

“Nigeria has over five million motorcycles, yet we have not been able to produce even basic components locally in sufficient quantity. One of our major challenges has been unstable government policies,” he said.

Ekewuba emphasised that for any company to invest in parts manufacturing, there must be guaranteed production volume and a stable policy environment to support long-term planning.

“If the right policies are in place and sustained, manufacturers will have the confidence to invest. This time around, we are optimistic that things will improve,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers, Mr. Bawo Omagbitse, said national development requires deliberate planning and strong support for local industries.

“All nations that have achieved industrial growth did so through strategic planning. If given the right environment to operate, the Nigerian automotive industry will transform for the better. We cannot get it right if we continue to rely on imported parts instead of producing them locally,” he said.

The sensitisation programme marks another step in the federal government’s drive to deepen local content in the automotive sector, reduce foreign exchange outflow, and stimulate industrial growth through increased domestic production.