Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has pledged to lead a fresh push for government patronage of vehicles assembled by Dangote Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (D-PAN), promising to make a strong case for the company at the National Economic Council (NEC).

Sani, who made the commitment while unveiling the new Peugeot 5008 2026 model at the D-PAN plant in Kaduna on Friday, said increased patronage by Federal and state government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) was critical to sustaining local vehicle assembly, protecting jobs and strengthening Nigeria’s automotive value chain.

The governor’s intervention comes amid renewed efforts to revive Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing industry by increasing local vehicle production and reducing dependence on imported completely built units.

Industry stakeholders have consistently identified government fleet procurement as a major instrument for creating sustained demand for locally assembled vehicles and encouraging investment in assembly plants.

With government agencies operating large vehicle fleets nationwide, stronger preference for locally assembled automobiles could provide the market certainty required by assemblers to expand production, develop local suppliers and deepen technology and skills transfer. It could also support the broader objective of increasing local content in Nigeria’s automotive industry.

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Against this background, Sani said government patronage remained crucial to ensuring the sustainability of local assembly operations and encouraging further investment in the sector.

“I will make a strong presentation at the National Economic Council, urging both the Federal and state governments to patronise the products of this company because that is the only way they can survive,” Sani said.

He also announced that the Kaduna State Government would procure some vehicles from D-PAN, saying the state would lead by example and encourage other governments to patronise locally assembled automobiles.

“As a government, Kaduna State will order some of the vehicles, so that we can show the example for others to follow by patronising this very important company,” the governor added.

Sani pledged continued support and collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and D-PAN, stressing the importance of strengthening local manufacturing as part of efforts to grow Nigeria’s industrial base.

He said D-PAN had made significant contributions to Kaduna’s economy through job creation, skills development and business opportunities for communities within and around its operating environment.

The governor also urged the company to consider employing graduates of the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational and Skills Development, who, according to him, recently completed intensive training in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Sani commended D-PAN for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in communities around its plant, while urging the company to further expand its support for the host communities.

He said the peaceful relationship between D-PAN and its host community was important to the sustainability of the company’s operations, stressing that continued investment in the welfare and development of surrounding communities would help preserve the harmony.

 

Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008