‘Drive Nigerian-made cars to FEC meetings’
Ben Murray-Bruce, a Nigerian Senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial zone and chairman, committee on privatisation of the Nigeria hallowed red chambers upper legislative chambers has challenged the minister of finance Kemi Adeosun and Ogbonnaya Onu, the minister of science and technology and other ministers and government functionaries of the present administration to show true patriotism by driving to the next federal executive council meeting with cars locally assembled in Nigeria.
The senator who had been firing on all cylinders in advocating for local patronage for locally made goods said, he is setting example along this line following the purchase of two units of vehicles each from Kia Motors and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturers (IVM).
The senator who spoke to the motoring journalists in Lagos when the marketing team of Kia Motors Nigeria took some units of Kia vehicles to showcase to him maintained that, it is only when people begin to look inwards and patronise what they produce internally can the country economy grow.
Kia Motors team led by the Sandeep Malhotra had gone to showcase the models to the senator as a demonstration of the dealership’s readiness to supply locally-assembled Kia product lines to the federal government. Some of the Kia models introduced to Senator Ben Murray Bruce include a bullet-proof Quoris, Cadenza, Optima and Cerato luxury sedans including a Mohave Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Responding after inspecting the vehicles, Ben Murray-Bruce said, “Am very happy that you assemble in Nigeria. I will speak to a couple of governors. I will speak to the Bayelsa and Ondo state governors to grant you audience to showcase your vehicles. What is important is that we need to make cars in Nigeria.”
He noted that sometimes the public seems to misconstrue what is meant by made in Nigeria cars or in a particular country. Even in the United States, vehicles are not produced 100 percent or elsewhere in the country, as there is still some component that comes from different parts of the world.
Reacting to BusinessDay’s question on his the latest development about the controversial official cars for members of the National assembly, he said; “You need cars for oversight functions. For instance, as the chairman of Senate committee on privatisation, I have been mandated to go round the country and find out why industries have collapsed in the country.” I need cars to move around. So also is the same for every member of the national assembly which is constitutional.”
He advised every Nigerian irrespective of gender or position to think Nigeria and patronise goods made locally so that the money stays in the country. “It will be unfair to attract foreign automakers through their local partners and the next moment, and the next moment, they will turn to buy cars from other countries.
When asked why his interest in Kia vehicles, he retorted that his interest is all about Nigeria, and not the as a car brand. The debate should be about the well being of the country and not any particular brand.
As at the time of filing this report, the Senator said he has bought a made-in-Nigeria Kia Soul and Optima luxury sedan. He applauded the commitment and determination of Kia in partnering with the federal government to advance the country’s economy.
Introducing the vehicles, Sandeep Malhotra Chief Commercial Officer, expressed preparedness of Kia Motors to ramp up production at its local SKD plant in Lagos if there market demand. He said the success of the plant is premised on Nigerian government’s favourable disposition to empowering local industry.
He stated that Kia Motors Nigeria remained resolute and committed to the long term investment in the auto industry despite the short term challenges currently faced. The plant has the capacity to produce 27,000 vehicles in a year and there is a provision to increase the production lines which is dependent on the demand.
MIKE OCHONMA