Fed Govt commits to vehicle components standards
By Franca Ochigbo, Abuja The Minister of State, Industry Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh has assured that the government is doing all it can to ensure all vehicles and
By Franca Ochigbo, Abuja
The Minister of State, Industry Trade and Investment, Sen. John Enoh has assured that the government is doing all it can to ensure all vehicles and components consistently meet vehicle conformity Assessment Programme (VehCAP) applicable safety standards, thereby mitigating risk posed by substandard vehicle component’s.
The minister explained that VehCAP facilitates trade by setting clear transparent and international requirements, as a result original importers, original equipment manufacturers, local manufacturers all benefit from a predictable rule based market access processes.
The minister noted that the introduction of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)- National Automotive Design and Development Council (NDDC) VehCAP is a structured compliance initiative led by the SON and the NADDC which aligns with the complementary mandates of the two organisations involved in the drive of the VehCAP to provide a unified regulatory framework that offers authoritative guidance on vehicle and components safety.
READ ALSO: INEC to delist David Mark, rival leadership from website pending determination of suits
Enoh stated this at a sensitisation workshop with the Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment on the SON- NADDC vehicle conformity assessment programme (SON-NADDCVehCAP) with the theme, “Certified Automobile Products, Safer Nigerian Roads” in Abuja, with the campaign line of No Certification, No Entry.
The Director General, SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke said the initiative aligned with the vision of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places strong emphasis on economic revitalisation, industrial competitiveness, and the protection of Nigerian lives and livelihoods in addition to strengthening product standards, improving regulatory coordination and safeguarding the Nigerian market from unsafe and substandard imports.
“The introduction of the Vehicle Conformity Assessment Programme marks a significant step in strengthening regulatory oversight within Nigeria’s automotive sector. It reflects a deliberate shift towards a more structured, preventive, and standards driven approach to addressing long-standing concerns associated with the quality and safety of vehicles and automotive components in our market,” he said.
The Director-General, NADDC, Oluwemimo Osanipin noted that Nigeria today operates one of the largest automotive markets in Africa. However, the structure of that market presents a serious concern as a significant proportion of vehicles imported into
Nigeria particularly used vehicles enter without adequate verification of structural integrity, safety condition, emissions performance, and lifecycle history.
“The consequences are evident as vehicles of uncertain conditions being introduced into active road use with mechanical failures contributes to accident severity. Again, substandard components circulate within the system and our local automotive industry is placed at a disadvantage,” he said, adding that it is the reality we must confront and decisively address.
