SGF commends PAN resilience in automobile industry

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has commended Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited (PAN) for remaining resilient, active and still keeping to the standard of good model in automobile industry over the years.

This SGF gave the commendation on Wednesday when he received the newly reconstituted Board of Directors of PAN led by its chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Munir Ja’afaru on a courtesy visit and a corporate presentation to him in his office in Abuja.

Mustapha extolled the company for its resolve and determination in producing good brand of vehicles and still keeping to its historical and traditional standard despite the past economic crises that forced other Assembly Plants in the country to go comatose.

He however, went down memory lane and bemoaned the present state of the textile industry in Kaduna, Kaduna State when it was the admiration of all.

“I feel sad about the state of the Kaduna Textile Manufacturing; it used to have thousands of many workers in its employ”, the SGF said.

He expressed optimism that, with good policies, those glorious days will come back again for PAN for the purpose of employment.

He assured that government has now created an enabling environment for all forms investments to thrive in the country.

Speaking earlier, the new chairman of the PAN’s board, Munir Ja’faru said that they were in the Office to make corporate presentation to SGF on their operations and areas of concern.

Ha’faru used the opportunity of the visit to congratulate the SGF “on his well-deserved appointment” by President Muhammedu Buhari.

Munir said that PAN was incorporated in 1972 as a JV between Federal Government of Nigeria and Automobile Peugeot, S.A of France.

He intimated the SGF that the principal activity of the assembly is on production and marketing of Peugeot brands of vehicles of varying models and capacity and the manufacturing output has exceeded 90, 000 cars.

He appealed to the federal government to provide necessary incentives and favourable environment for local automobile companies.

According to him, the automobile companies are facing some challenges, saying, “PAN rapidly fell into financial difficulties, limiting its capacity to finance new initiatives aimed at sustaining its business.

He disclosed that Automobile Peugeot France also suspended its technical and commercial agreements with PAN, leading to the fracture of the dealership network and after sales support among others.

He however said the assembly’s proposition now are on provision of opportunity for Employment, Skills Acquisition, Technology Transfer, Investment and Local Components Manufacture; Modern , functional, reliable and competitive products (including armored vehicles for security) and to have reduced cost of ownership due to improved fuel efficiency and long maintenance cycles.