Buhari gives reason for banning importation of vehicles
President Muhammadu Buhari says the major reasons Federal Government banned importations of vehicles through land borders was to encourage Nigerians to patronize locally assembled vehicles, create jobs and move the nation’s economy forward.
The President stated this in Enugu at the weekend during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Eastern Vehicle Assembling Limited and launch of EVAL Vehicles.
Buhari, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Legal and Electoral Matters, Barr. Juliet Ibekaku also promised to put in place enabling environment to encourage and protect locally assembled vehicles.
The President said, “I commend the commitment of Eastern Vehicle Assembly Limited to key into the economic development agenda of this administration by building a vehicle manufacturing assembling plant in Nigeria. Federal Government is solidly behind this project and will do everything to support you. We assure you that we will create enabling environment to protect your investment.
“We are already fine tuning our procurement policy to support preferential purchase of local vehicles. We are optimistic that in no distant time the support we are giving the automotive sector will generate more jobs and career employment for our young and teeming youths as well as drive the economy. The recent ban on importation of vehicles through land boarders will further encourage Nigerians to patronize our local assembled vehicles like EVAL”, he said.
In his speech, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State said the establishment of Eastern Vehicle Assembling Limited in the state is part of plans by both Federal and Enugu state governments to drive investments into the country.
The governor who was represented by Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Sam Ogbu said, “This is yet another welcome addition to the burgeoning business environment in Enugu State and an apparent indication that the efforts of Federal Government and our own efforts, to encourage both local and foreign investment in the state, are yielding desired results despite the current economic difficulties in the country.
He commended the Managing Director of EVAL, Mr. Joseph Okechukwu for the courage and will to boost industrial base and provide employment for people of the state.
Also, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State represented by his deputy Sir Udeh Oko Chukwu said his government would ensure the sustainability of Eastern Vehicle Assembling Limited by making EVAL Vehicles its official cars in the State.
“We in Abia State have placed emphasis on locally made goods. We promise to make EVAL Vehicles our official cars once the project takes off in Abia State.
Also, in a speech, Executive Director, Cooperate Bank and Treasury Keystone Bank, Mr. Afeez Bakare said his bank is in partnership with EVAL to provide employment for Nigerian youths.
“This is a project we believe will create job opportunity for our teeming youths. We know how much this government place emphasis on job employment. This is why we decided to key in and contribute our own quota to sustain the economy.
Earlier in his speech, Managing Director of Eastern Vehicle Assembling Limited, Mr. Joseph Okechukwu said the coming of EVAL was in response to the clarion call of federal government and south east states to open up investments and woe foreign investors for the industrialization of the country.
He said EVAL products are 24th century products with hundred percent steel.
“There is nothing you need in a car that is not available in all of our products; you are warned before any accident occurs.
“Eastern Vehicle Assembling Limited will create 1, 450 for youths in both Abia and Enugu States, we call on other state governments to borrow this kind of ideals to create jobs for their youths as well as adopt EVAL vehicles as their official cars”, he said.
Other dignitaries present at the event include, Mr. Ibikunle Adams who represented the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka among other top federal, states government functionaries and industrialists.
