President Goodluck Jonathan yesterdayreassured Nigerians that the implementation of National Automotive Policy approved last year by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is not to inflict pains on them.

He said the new policy will save the nation an average of over $4 billion spent in importing vehicles, adding that the money, when invested here, will create jobs.

Jonathan gave the assurance when he received a 40-man delegation of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The president, who was responding to some of the issues raised by the association, promised to talk to the state governors involved in the economic management team to work with the RTEAN to ensure that the country has world class parks across.

Criticism had trailed the policy with many Nigerians insisting it would inflict hardship as well as encouraging smuggling.

Many believe as the policy begins in March, the proposed increase in clearing rates and tariff on the tokunbo cars would only inflict more pain than gain.

Similarly, prominent automobile dealers, Toyota, CFAO, Honda, Mercedez Benz, had late last year protested to the National Assembly seeking a review of the policy.

The dealers, who sent petition to the president on November last year, alleged that the policy was designed to favour a particular firm to the detriment of others.

But Jonathan commended RTEAN members for supporting the policy and assured that the policy would ensure competitiveness and productivity in the automobile sector.

The president added that the policy would assist in the establishment of automotive supplier parks and clusters as well as create jobs.

"One area I want to commend you is on the auto policy of government.

"People have different views but the most important body that can comment on the policy is your body.

"From RTEAN position on the Auto Policy, I am quite pleased.

"But let me use this opportunity to assure Nigerians that government cannot bring a policy that will increase the hardship of Nigerians.

"If that comes up, I will abort it even mid-way because we cannot come up with a policy that will make Nigerians suffer or pay higher prices for vehicles.

"However, we must come up with policies that Nigerians will pay less and create jobs and wealth for the people.

As a nation, we spent an average of over 4 billion dollars in importing vehicles.

"If this chunk of money, even half of it, is invested in the country to assemble and manufacture, it will go a long way.

"When you assemble, other small cottage industries will come up to produce one component or the other to serve the main assemblage plant.



http://odili.net/news/source/2014/jan/5/504.html

Bull crap!!!!! Very bad and flimsy excuse to favor a very few.