The Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has announced the federal governmentâs plan to regulate car importation and dealership operations across Nigeria.
Joseph Osanipin, the director-general of NADDC, disclosed this while speaking at a stakeholder engagement with members and executives of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) titled âImport of Used Cars and Dealership Regulation in Nigeria’
According to Osanipin, there was a need for stricter regulations on the importation and sale of used cars due to the influx of accident-prone and condemned vehicles, many of which enter the country through smuggling routes.
He said:
The NADDC boss also underscored the need for collaboration among industry stakeholders, warning that without cooperation from dealers, regulatory efforts could be undermined, Punch reports.
He added:
He also called on AMDON to uphold self-regulation by identifying and reporting those damaging the industryâs reputation through the importation of outdated vehicles that pose safety risks. He cited reports revealing that vehicles designated for scrapping had been illegally brought into Nigeria.
Osanipin told the dealers:
In response, Ajibola Adedoyin, AMDONâs national president, welcomed the governmentâs regulatory move, stating that the association had been advocating such measures for years, BusinessDay reports.
Adedoyin explained:
TimesNow.com.ng previously reported that the prices of Tokunbo (imported used) cars have surged in recent times due to the nairaâs depreciation and high import taxes.
The average price of a Golf 3 sedan, commonly used for transport, jumped from N900,000âN1.2 million to N2.7 million, while a Toyota Sienna moved up from N6 million to N10 million.
Similarly, the 2012 Honda Accord rose from N6.5 million to between N8 million and N10 million.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at TimesNow.com.ng.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
