FG moves to curb imported used vehicles

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

The federal government, in an effort to remove unsafe and dangerous vehicles from Nigerian roads, has intensified efforts to curb the influx of imported used vehicles into the country, while advocating for the enactment of the national automotive policy.

This was disclosed at the 18th edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) International Auto Awards, by Joseph Osanipin, director general of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

Osanipin stated that the full implementation of the end-of-life vehicle (ELV) policy will commence next year, ensuring that vehicles no longer roadworthy will be removed and substandard imports will be restricted.

He also emphasised that the federal government is set to push the country’s long-awaited automotive policy to the national assembly to be passed, noting that consultations with lawmakers have already begun and that public hearings will be scheduled to facilitate the process.

“In the last few months, we launched an end-of-life vehicle policy, and we are moving a lot in putting in place the operational procedure for the end-of-life vehicle recycling regulations. As we go into, especially the second quarter of next year, we will be implementing it in full.

“So what that means is that vehicles that are not supposed to be on the road will no longer be on the road, and will not be allowed to come into Nigeria. So we’ve tried to get across all the necessary agencies that will work with us in that regard,” Osanipin said.

An End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) is any car, van, or other motor vehicle that’s considered waste, usually due to age, damage, or being unusable, requiring specialised handling to safely remove hazardous fluids (oil, coolant) and dismantle parts for recycling or reuse, preventing environmental harm.

Speaking on the national automotive policy, Osanipin said that the federal government, through the NADDC, is also introducing stricter regulations for used vehicles, ensuring that only those tested, accredited, and certified to meet international standards are allowed into Nigeria, and any vehicle that fails these tests will be barred from importation, with the reforms being implemented gradually to curb the influx of substandard cars.

According to the DG, these measures are essential not only to improve the quality and safety of vehicles on Nigerian roads but also to promote the growth of local vehicle assembly.

He emphasised that these reforms complement the government’s broader plan to enact a comprehensive automotive policy, which is set to be pushed through the national Assembly in the first half of the year, underscoring a coordinated effort to strengthen the automotive sector and protect consumers.

“Part of what we need to achieve in the first or, let’s say, half of the year is the enactment of our auto policy. We have gone far, and any moment from now, we are going to push the National Assembly to pass it,” Osanipin said.

He also commended NAJA for its consistency in recognising excellence in the automotive sector, noting that the annual awards serve as a meeting point for key stakeholders and a catalyst for job creation.

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