Business

Tariff: Peugeot says many local assembly plants will shut down

Published

3 years ago

January 13, 2021

Nigeria to import N3tn used automobiles this year

Many vehicle assembly plants in Nigeria including Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) will shut down their operations this year following a recent reduction in import tariff on vehicles by the Federal Government.

Chairman of PAN, Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, who stated this, also predicted that Nigeria would import used cars and motorcycles worth N3 trillion this year as a result of the new policy.

Aliyu, who is a former member of the House of Representatives, condemned the tariff reduction on imported vehicles, describing it as a policy somersault.

The policy was based on the recommendations of the Automobile Standing Committee set up by the Federal Government through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to examine factors hindering the growth of the automotive sector.

Ahmed, who spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during a media parley on ‘The tariff regime for automobile assembly plant in the 2020 Finance Bill’, accused the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), of succumbing to the lobby of vehicle dealers with no matching investments in local vehicle assembly.

Aliyu expressed concern that the new policy would affect PAN Kaduna Limited, which had already secured a financing of $150 million over the next three years for its operations.

He added that the tariff reduction would mean the imminent closure of PAN and other auto assembly plants.

“The tariff portion of the Finance Bill was stepped down. But to our dismay, it was smuggled again into the Finance Bill and subsequently approved,” he stated.

He accused the Customs boss of abusing the direct access that he has to the presidency.

He said, “The Nigeria Ports Authority revealed in December 2020 that 13 vessels off-loaded used vehicles at the terminals. In 2020, the country imported used vehicles and motorcycles valued at N1.28 trillion.

“It means in 2021, Nigeria is likely to go berserk and triple the amount to N3 trillion. Forty per cent of the budget on importation of all manners of used cars is a direct consequence of the tariff reduction.

“The comptroller general intends to flood Nigeria with ‘Tokunboh’ vehicles and ensure the closure of all assembly plants whereas the assembly plants have put in place a car financing scheme for Nigerians to own brand new vehicles at affordable rates.

“We strongly believe the comptroller general succumbed to the lobby of ‘Tokunboh’ dealers who are glorified car dealers with no matching investments in local vehicle assembly, and without linkages and value chain components that can precipitate long term industrial growth of Nigerian economy.

“PAN Kaduna Limited has just been acquired and has already secured a financing of $150 million over the next three years, and the implication of this review means the imminent closure of PAN and other auto assembly plants due to misguided recommendations by the comptroller general.

“We categorically state that this tariff review will become more detrimental to the long-term competitiveness that the automotive industry must achieve if it is to play any dominant role in Africa continental free trade area.”

But the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) dismissed the PAN chairman’s allegation, saying that Nigerians are happy with the new policy.

Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, said the position of the NCS was well known on the matter, adding that Nigerians were happy with the reduction of tariff on imported vehicles.

“Our position is well known and Nigerians are happy. Anyone can criticise our position. What you then ask yourself is on which grounds. I am not a businessman, but when people criticise based on their interests, I don’t know what you want me to say. Our position is well known and anyone can criticise us,” he stated.

Business

Finally, NERC unbundles TCN, creates new system operator

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Finally, NERC unbundles TCN, creates new system operator

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has set up the Nigerian Independent System Operator of Nigeria Limited (NISO) as it unbundles the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The transmission leg of the power sector has over the years been seen as weakest link with obsolete equipment.

The unbundling announcement is contained in an Order dated April 30, 2023 and jointly signed by NERC chairman, Sanusi Garba, and vice chairman, Musiliu Oseni.

By this order, the TCN is expected to transfer all market and system operation functions to the new company.

The commission had previously issued transmission service provider (TSP) and system operations (SO) licences to the TCN, in accordance with the Electric Power Sector Reform Act.

The Electricity Act 2023, which came into effect on June 9, provided clearer guidelines for the incorporation and licensing of the independent system operator (ISO), as well as the transfer of assets and liabilities of TCN’s portion of the ISO.
In the circular, the commission ordered the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to incorporate, unfailingly on May 31, a private company limited by shares under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020.
NERC said the company is expected “to carry out the market and system operation functions stipulated in the Electricity Act and the terms and conditions of the system operation licence issued to the TCN.
“The name of the company shall, subject to availability at Corporate Affairs Commission, be the Nigerian Independent System Operator of Nigeria Limited (“NISO”),” NERC said.

Citing the object clause of the NISO’s memorandum of association (MOU) as provided in the Electricity Act, NERC said the company would “hold and manage all assets and liabilities pertaining to market and system operation on behalf of market participants and consumer groups or such stakeholders as the Commission may specify.”

Business

Naira depreciates again, trades at N1,402/$

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Trends Admin

Naira depreciates again, trades at N1,402/$

The Nigerian currency, naira, on Thursday slightly depreciated at the official market, trading at N1,402.67 to the dollar.

Data from the official trading platform of the FMDQ Exchange, a platform that oversees the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), showed that the naira lost N11.71

Naira depreciates again, trades at N1,402/$

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Appeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2024

Trends Admin

Appeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws

The National Industrial Court has withdrawn from a case involving Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, Board of Trustees chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa’s ambition to return as president of the union over lack of jurisdiction.

The industrial court’s decision was made to avoid conflict with the Court of Appeal, where the matter is already being heard.

Before the NIC announced its decision to hands-off the case, the defendants’ counsel, Mr. O.I. Olorundare SAN, had informed the court that the matter is currently before the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, and that the industrial court could not continue to adjudicate on the same matter.

The counsel cited authorities to support his claim, adding that the National Industrial Court does not have concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of Appeal.

The presiding judge, O.O. Oyewunmi, struck out the case, stating that the Appeal Court had taken over the matter and that the Industrial Court must respect the hierarchy of courts.

Alhaji Yasin and six others took the case to the Appeal Court, challenging the decision of the industrial court recognising a delegates’ conference held on May 24, 2023, where Baruwa was proclaimed as President of the union for a second term in office.

With the latest NIC judgement, both parties will now proceed to defend their positions at the Court of Appeal and await the final judgement.