French envoy decries state of auto assembly in Nigeria

Gaver Dengs, the Ambassador of France in Nigeria has expressed reservation on the sluggish growth of locally assembled vehicles and the automobile market in the country which he attributed to a number of factors. The French envoy made this known when he paid a visit to PAN Nigeria Limited, assemblers of Peugeot cars in the country.
Speaking during the visit, the ambassador stated, “Limiting age of importation of fairly used vehicles, right duties and taxation will protect and encourage the growth of the automobile industry, which has the capacity to create thousands of jobs in the country.
Gaver Dengs had led the Nigerian chapter of French Foreign Trade Advisory (CCEF) delegation on a courtesy visit to PAN Nigeria Limited, manufacturers of Peugeot brand of vehicles and was received on arrival by Ibrahim Boyi, managing director and chief executive of PAN with members of managment team.
Boyi made a brief presentation to the CCEF delegate at the Peugeot Learning Centre (PLC) hall on PAN operations and challenges in this period of economic down turn. The presentation provoked certain thought on the delegates which borders on access to forex, operational profitability and government policy.
They were later taken round the assembly plant by Augustine Okolo, an engineer and General Manager Industrial (GMI). On his part, the President Generale of CCEF Laurent Couderc described the visit as interesting experience and exchange of ideas which need to be continous.
Joined in the visit were Eric Maydieu of the PSA group, Jean Jacques JUNG, Jean Raoul Tauhin and Claude Abily, press counselor embassy of France in Nigeria amongst others.