Amaechi tasks NITT to produce made- in -Nigeria cars.

Segun Oladipupo |

The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria, has been advised to develop capacity that will enable it manufacture made in Nigeria cars.

This is as the institute was also encouraged to seek accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to be able to run certain Diploma courses in a bid to metamorphose into a full-fledged university of transport and logistics.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi gave the charge on Sunday as contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Director, Public Affairs of the Institute, Mr. Paul Mshelizah.

According to the release, Amaechi made the statement during a familiarisation and facility tour of the institute in Zaria, Kaduna state as part of efforts to repositioning the institute.

The statement quoted Amaechi saying: “NITT has all it takes to design a car, I am sure the institute could convince the Federal Government that it has what it takes to design a made in Nigeria car.

“From design, to engine to body, then funding will not be an issue, we can create patency for NITT.”

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the facilities but called on its management to ensure proper use and adequate maintenance of the equipment.

Amaechi pledged the ministry’s support to help in the creation of more faculties in the institute.

He called for a holistic perusal of the institute’s enabling law to know the scope of its mandate.

Amaechi also urged to the institute to expand the project aimed at producing Made-in-Nigeria vehicles, by establishing a feedstock farm for renewable energy.

He suggested to NITT to factor into the 2021 budget the acquisition of about “200 hectres of land” to start the project.

The minister further suggested that in subsequent budgets, personnel and other logistics for effective operation of the feedstock farm might be captured.

This, according to the Minister, can attract private investors to cue into the project.

Interacting with NITT N-Power automobile participants, the Minister admonished them to be disciplined in everything they do.

He assured them of the Federal government’s commitment toward the success of the N-Power scheme, stressing that “President Buhari’s administration is interested in lifting people out of poverty.”