President of Auto Spare Parts & Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA), Lagos International Trade Fair complex, Hon. Ngozi Emechebe (on white) giving some explanation during the recently concluded WAAS in Lagos
…Seeks ECOWAS Support for Seamless Distribution of Spare Parts
The President of Auto Spare Parts & Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA), Lagos International Trade Fair complex, Hon. Ngozi Emechebe has opened up on key challenges being faced by his member in the sourcing and distribution of auto spare parts across the West African sub-region at the West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS) which took place last week in Lagos.
He used the occasion to call on President Bola Tinubu to rally other ECOWAS leaders to work together in finding solutions to the challenges of road transportation and movement of spare parts from ASPMDA in Nigeria to other countries in ECOWAS seamlessly.
He also frowned at the endless number of check points along the West Coast.
Making his presentation on Day 2 on ‘Logistics and Trade Challenges in Sourcing and Distributing Parts in West Africa’, explained that “As the President of ASPMDA, I bring insights from our vast experience in navigating these challenges.
According to him, “The automotive industry in West Africa faces numerous challenges in logistics and trade, including:
Infrastructure Deficits: Poor road networks, inadequate port facilities, and inefficient transportation systems hinder the smooth movement of goods.
Regulatory Barriers: Complex and sometimes conflicting regulations across countries create uncertainty and increase costs.
Supply Chain Inefficiencies: Lengthy customs clearance processes, high costs of logistics services, and limited use of technology in supply chain management contribute to inefficiencies.
On the Impact on the challenge to the Industry, Hon. Emechebe listed increased costs, saying “Higher logistics costs are often passed on to consumers, making vehicles and spare parts more expensive.”
“Aside cost of logistics, delays in delivery and distribution affect the availability of parts, impacting vehicle maintenance and repair. Also, the industry’s competitiveness is compromised due to high operational costs and inefficient logistics.
On the role of ASPMDA in handling these challenges, he noted that “The Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) is committed to addressing these challenges. As the most organized trade association in West Africa, we have been working tirelessly to:
i.Advocate for Policy Reforms*: We engage with governments and regulatory bodies to advocate for policies that support the growth of the automotive industry.
ii.Promote Industry Best Practices*: ASPMDA provides training and capacity-building programs for its members to enhance their operational efficiency.
iii. Facilitate Collaboration*: We bring together industry stakeholders to share knowledge, resources, and expertise.
In concluding his presentation, ASPMDA President averred that “while the challenges in logistics and trade are significant, collective efforts and strategic interventions can mitigate these issues. ASPMDA remains dedicated to driving progress in the automotive sector. Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in shaping the future of the industry.”
Hon. Emechebe remarked that “I would like to reiterate that ASPMDA is the most organized trade association in West Africa, and we are committed to leveraging our expertise and network to support the growth and development of the automotive industry. Thank you.”
