Abuja — The National Automotive Council (NAC) has reassured Nigerians that its dream of producing a "made in Nigeria" vehicle has not been forgotten but has been temporarily kept on hold.

Head of Policy and Planning Department of NAC Mr. Mamudu Luqman told newsmen at the weekend in Abuja that the council would still go ahead with the fabrication of the vehicle once its budget is approved.

He said the council is currently operating without a budget.

Luqman said a bill seeking to merge the council with the centre for automotive design located in Zaria is currently before the National Assembly.

He said: "Discussions are underway on how to build low cost automobiles with low pressure parts and we have completed the survey and the project on how to build a concept vehicle. It is estimated to be less than two hundred million naira and the Council has already been approached by several automotive firms with proposals of building a made in Nigeria car with new Materials such as low pressure materials and panels."

Luqman said the council is presently encouraging component manufactures to form alliances with other big automobile producers to build automotive parts as well as boost exports and imports of automotive components.

He said privatisation of the auto companies would make them more competitive, saying government's involvement is a hindrance. He said another obstacle in the industry is the high tariff place on automotive products which to discourages indigenous producers and encourage imports.

In the area of quality and professionalism, he expressed satisfaction with the degree of commitment and professionalism exhibited by local manufacturers but advised that for the local products to compete favourably, the quality must meet global standards.

"There are plans to establish a test centre where cars coming into Nigeria would be test to ensure that they meet stipulated standards", he said.