The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba has called on Nigerians to patronize made in Nigeria vehicles and other local brands to help stimulate the economy and boost job creation.
The Minister made the call during a Facility Tour of the assembly plant of Jet Systems Automobile Industries Ltd located at Gbogije, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos State.
Prince Agba who was accompanied by 26 other State’s Commissioners of Budget and Economic Development, also advocated for a move from primary production to the creation of value adding goods to help improve foreign earnings into the country.
After the Facility Tour which also included the display of the Jet Mover Electric Van (the first in Nigeria) and the DC fast charging station, the Minister said he believes the Jet Motor brand and others across the length and breadth of Nigeria were charting a new cause in the fledgling vehicle assemblage industry.
He also noted during the Facility Tour that the assemblage of Jet Motor vehicles which is done by local engineers is encouraging because it helps in technology transfer, human capital development in terms of employment which boosts the economy because there will be less importation.
The Minister also noted that despite the non-implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) of 2014 which discourages the importation of fully built vehicles in Nigeria and encourages local assemblers, the industry is still thriving.
While reacting to the visit of the Minister, Wemimo Osanipin, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Jet Systems Automobile Ltd said that it serves as an incentive to invest more in the economy.
“The Jet mover is one of the two main local brands in Nigeria; others are foreign brands which are not assembled in Nigeria and if they are, they are foreign brands assembled in Nigeria. But the Jetvan is assembled in Nigeria; the brand is owned by Nigeria and we are so happy that the Federal Government is associating with us and they are part of us.
“The Jet Mover offers unique features. The first is the passenger bus, cargo bus, ambulance, the electric passenger bus and the electric cargo bus. These are the brands we have on offer.
“You can get passenger buses here and there but ours is unique; first and foremost our buses have a whole lot of room in terms of size and height. The Jet brand has enough head room as any passenger can walk inside the bus without bending.
