FG won’t ban importation of Tokunbo vehicles –Aganga

The Federal Government has said it had no intention of banning the importation of fairly used vehicles, also known as Tokunbo.

The Minister of Industry,  Trade and Investment , Dr. Olusegun Aganga, stated this on Friday  during a facility tour of one of the nation’s automobile assembly plant, Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria, Kaduna.

Aganga said despite the new automobile policy now in place,  the government would not ban the importation of fairly used vehicles because of its socio-economic importance to  the country.

Rather than banning, the minister noted that Nigeria must work towards providing alternative cars.

He  said it was normal to place a ban on the importation of Tokunbo vehicles while revamping the auto industry but noted that at one of the Federal Executive Council meetings, it was decided that there should be no ban on Tokunbo cars.

The minister, who said he was at PAN to assess how the automobile company is taking the opportunity of the new automobile policy of the government, said  though Tokunbo  vehicles would still be imported into the country but the government would do everything possible to ensure that affordable and new vehicles were produced for Nigerians.

The  minster  said,  “We studied what was done in Pakistan, India, and South Africa. It is normal that in most countries they ban the importation of Tokunbo cars. Because that will help the demand of the local manufacturers.

“However, for Nigeria, we discussed and we said we are not going to ban Tokunbo vehicles because of the socio-economic problems we have in the country. We must work towards providing alternative cars before we even consider placing a ban on them.

“So, in Nigeria we have not banned it yet. If we slow down the demand, it will slow down the pace of growth. If you look at the cars today, for every one new car that is imported, almost six Tokunbo vehicles are imported into the country. That tells you that the economy of the country is a priority.

“When you see that, as a country you cannot afford to place a ban. The Federal Executive Council has said we are not banning Tokunbo vehicles until we have alternative for it. So, Tokunbo cars will still be imported into the country and we will do everything possible to make sure that we can produce affordable and new cars for Nigerians. So, it is important that we provide an environment and the alternative for Nigerians before we embark on banning Tokunbo cars.”

The minister, who could not hide his excitement over what he saw at the automobile plant, noted that the PAN had already keyed into the recently launched Federal Government’s Industrial Revolution plans.

He said the only thing left for the auto company to kick-start was a conducive environment to thrive which the government is ready to provide.

Earlier, the Managing Director, PAN, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, had said the new management of the company was comitted to repositioning the organisation, noting that “since the new management came on board, the company has embarked on some turnaround strategies.”

Part of the strategy, he said, includes rebuilding relationship, improving trade and expanding coverage with Peugeot  France and ultimately  “commence sale, support and assembly of high quality Peugeot products.”

Copyright PUNCH.