President Muhammadu Buhari has said the ban on importation of vehicles through land borders was to encourage Nigerians to patronise locally assembled vehicles.
The President stated this in Enugu on Saturday during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Eastern Vehicle Assembling Limited (EVAL) and launch of EVAL vehicles.
Buhari, represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Legal and Electoral Matters, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku, also pledged to put in place the enabling environment to encourage and protect locally assembled vehicles.
According to Buhari: “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.
He disclosed that the recent ban on importation of vehicles through land borders would encourage Nigerians to patronise locally assembled vehicles like EVAL.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said the establishment of the company in Enugu State was part of plans to drive investments in the country.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu also said his government would ensure the sustainability of EVAL by making its vehicles its official cars in Abia State.
“We 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, Executive Director, Treasury, Keystone Bank, Mr. Afeez Bakare, said his bank went into partnership with EVAL to provide employment for Nigerian youths.
Managing Director of Eastern Vehicle Assembling Limited, Mr. Joseph Okechukwu, said the coming of EVAL was in response to the clarion call of the Federal Government and south east states to open up investments and woo foreign investors.
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