The National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, has called for increased private-sector investment in compressed natural gas, CNG, and electric vehicle infrastructure to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transportation
The Council’s Director General, Mr Joseph Osanipin made the call in Abuja at a media workshop organised for members of the Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, CICAN
Osanipin who was represented by the Director of Media, Mrs Susan Taiwo said the automotive industry was expanding rapidly and required greater public attention, stressing that sustained media coverage was essential to inform Nigerians about developments in the sector
“The automotive industry is an industry that is growing up And it needs some growth. It’s about to explode in our society. We need to focus more. Give attention more. And sensitize people about the happenings in the industry,” she said.
She said the Council had made significant progress in developing Nigeria’s automotive industry but that much of its work remained unknown to the public
“If you don’t amplify what you’re doing, nobody will know what you’re doing,” Taiwo said
She noted that the country had moved from a period when virtually no assembly plants were operational to having about 40 functioning plants
Taiwo urged journalists to help amplify developments in the automotive sector and provide Nigerians with accurate information about ongoing initiatives
She said the Council was also supporting the transition towards cleaner mobility, particularly through CNG and electric vehicles
According to her, NADDC had commenced the training of technicians across the country on CNG vehicle conversion and installation, while licensing commercial conversion centres
Taiwo also disclosed that the Council had conducted pilot electric vehicle projects in some universities, including the installation of charging stations, but stressed that private investors needed to take the initiative further
“We have done our best We know it is an expensive project. We have done some pilot samples in some higher institutions. Universities. We installed charging stations. It is left for investors now to take up from there,” she said.
She explained that widespread charging infrastructure was necessary to make electric vehicles practical for long-distance travel in Nigeria
She urged investors to establish charging and CNG refuelling stations nationwide, noting that such infrastructure would give electric and CNG vehicle owners confidence to travel across the country
The NADDC media director also called on private investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities and build on the foundation being laid by the Council