PRIVATISATION: VON WANTS SENATE PANEL REPORT REVISITED

By Emmanuel Aziken
Volkswagen of Nigeria, VON, has urged the Senate to revisit the recommendations of its panel on privatisation, saying that efforts made by the company to roll out made in Nigeria vehicles do not reflect the situation portrayed by the Senate panel.

The company, in a statement in Lagos, weekend, disclosed that with the imminent roll out of its first vehicles on Nigerian roads, VON's efforts at setting up and commissioning its factory were expected to provoke celebrations in Nigerian automobile industry.

VON's Managing Director, Tokunbo Aromolaran said the firm was surprised by the adverse references on VON reported by the ad hoc committee set up by the Senate to review the past privatisation activities of the Federal Government.

He said: 'Importantly, VON is on the verge of an historic revival after several years of closure.  The first Nigerian-made vehicles have commenced roll out from its state-of-the-art facility intended to replace import of fully built versions.

'Through a sustained inflow of capital, the plant has been successfully commissioned.'

with a comprehensive system of equipment and machinery, designed to meet the standards of global commercial vehicle brands. A phased approach to expand the range and volume of vehicles and the requisite financial investment are firmly in place.'

Aromolaran said investors are beginning to see a stable polity in Nigeria under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan and are showing great keenness to invest in the country.