The new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Usman, has said that the Nigerian government had begun a review of the automobile policy, which came into effect during the previous administration.

Mrs Usman made the statement on Thursday during a tour of the Tincan Island seaport, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, and NPA dockyard in Lagos.

"We are discussing with the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment regarding where we are following the automobile policy, because federal government needs to review some of its policies to determine the benefits that will accrue to the government following the period of implementation,” the Managing Director said.

The automobile policy was introduced in October 2013 to encourage local manufacturing of vehicles and discourage importation of cars as well as gradually phase out used cars (popularly known as Tokunbo cars).

Mrs Usman further expounded by stating that: "There has been a period of implementation of the automobile policy. There is a need to relook at it to determine the opportunities lost by the federal government vis a vis the automotive industry. This is ongoing.

"We will aggressively sustain this discussion to ensure that in a timely manner the government concludes its assessment of this policy and takes a decision on the way forward as it relates to the revenue being lost within the Authority and also the development of the automobile industry itself."

Mrs Usman, who also visited the NPA's transit truck terminal, along the Apapa expressway, said: "There will be a review of the concession agreement, the issue around the holding bays might not be within the port complex.

"There is a need for holding bays to be outside the port complex, that way, we regulate the traffic going into the port complex.

"So, we will holistically review all these and determine what it is that is applicable as it relates to holding bays inside the port complex and also outside because indeed, the Nigerian Ports Authority has properties as we have sighted now."