The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Industry to liaise with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to ensure that Made in Nigeria vehicles are procured for use by all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government as opposed to the current practice of using foreign made vehicles by government establishments.

The House also mandated the Committee to investigate why local vehicle manufacturing companies in Nigeria had production less than 25 years of the establishment of such manufacturing plants.

The resolution was followed the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Ogbeide Ihiama on the matte under matter of urgency public importance on the floor of the House on Thursday.

While leading the debate on the motion, Hon. Ihiama noted that local manufacturers of cars in Nigeria were facing a lot of challenges due to low patronage by Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs of the Federal Government

The lawmaker further noted that many of the existing vehicle manufacturing companies Nigeria such as Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) and Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMCO) were gasping for breath due to the harsh business environment.

He stressed the need for urgent need for the MDAs to procure made in Nigeria vehicles in MDAs to boost their patronage, adding that it would also conserve the depletion of the nation’s foreign exchange and reflate the economy.

In his contribution, Hon. Johnson Oghuma said that the Nigerian government should concentrate efforts at making the economy generate fresh energy for its growth by patronising home made goods

The lawmaker blamed the nation’s value system for the many challenges being faced by the citizenry and called for a reorientation of the citizens.

Also speaking in support, Hon. Sanni Abdu and Hon. Rima Shawulu pointed out that move would help to resuscitate some of the moribund local vehicle manufacturing plants in Nigeria.

On his own part, Hon. Tahir Monguno noted that there was the need to create the enabling environment so that the nation’s local industries would be protected.

Consequently, the House presided by the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, passed the motion with a unanimous voice vote.

The Speaker further mandated the House Committee on Industry to liaise with the relevant MDAS with a view to ensuring that local vehicle manufacturers were given priority by government agencies in procurement of vehicles for office use.