Automobile workers have warned that reduction of duties on imported vehicles would hamper manpower development in the sector.
The General Secretary, Automobile, Boatyard, Transportation, Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association (AUTOBATE), Sola Olorunfemi, said slashing the duties would ruin the sector.
Olorunfemi argued that import duties reduction would increase unemployment, adding that foreign companies, such as TATA and Mandilas, could be forced to quit Nigeria.
On January 24, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), called for a reduction in import duties to curb the products’ smuggling.
Olorunfemi noted that the government should endeavour to resuscitate steel industry to provide materials for local vehicle manufacturing plants.
He, however, said the workers were making the call against the backdrop of calls by key stakeholders for the Federal Government to slash duties on vehicles imported.
It would be recalled that the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) recently called on the government to reduce import duties to 15 per cent from the prevailing 25 per cent put in place by the Federal Government.
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