Reps Demand Regulation Of Electric, CNG Vehicles Importation

The House of Representatives has called for the establishment of a regulatory framework for the Importation of Electric Vehicles (EVs), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles, and Related Infrastructure in the country.

Consequently, the House urged the Federal Government to establish a transparent licensing and approval framework for the commercial importation of EVs, CNG vehicles and related clean
mobility equipment.

It asked the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the Standards Organisation of
Nigeria (SON), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other relevant agencies, to develop objective qualification criteria for import approval.

These resolutions were a result of the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ademorin Aliu Kuye(APC, Lagos) at plenary on Tuesday.

Moving the motion, he noted
that Nigeria had adopted policies promoting the transition to EVs, CNG vehicles, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vehicles, and other clean
transportation technologies as part of its energy transition and economic diversification agenda.

Kuye said the Federal Government had introduced fiscal incentives, including import duty and tax reliefs, to encourage investment in clean mobility technologies and improve the availability of
adequate charging infrastructure, CNG refuelling stations, maintenance centres, spare parts supply chains, technical expertise, and after-sales support, all of which are critical to the success of this policy direction.

According to him, Nigeria has the opportunity to encourage local investment, technology transfer, employment generation, and domestic value addition by linking import incentives to measurable
investments in infrastructure and technical capacity.

The House, on adoption of the motion for the provision, urged the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to maintain a public register of approved importers and infrastructure providers to enhance transparency and consumer confidence and ensure that the approval process remains open,
competitive, transparent and non-discriminatory so that any qualified company that meets
the prescribed standards may obtain approval without undue preference.

It further asked the Federal Government to align tax incentives, import duty concessions, and other fiscal benefits with compliance with this regulatory framework to promote sustained investment in local infrastructure.

The House mandated the Committees on Industry, Commerce, Gas Resources, Environment, and
Legislative Compliance to monitor implementation and report within four weeks for legislative action.