Bennett  Oghifo

The federal government has said it will continue to deliver workable reforms for small and medium sized enterprises (SMSE), as they scale, manufacture, and produce. 

“We want them to be competitive”, said the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole during her visit to the electric vehicles assembly plant of SAGLEV in Ikorodu, Lagos,  recently. 

The Minister, who said she was visiting an EV plant for the first time, was accompanied by the Directo General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin.

Oduwole said, “This administration, from industrial policy to trade policy to investment policy is focused on Nigerian investors and putting them first. So, this is my first time in this capacity, visiting an EV plant and just to see the dexterity, the range of products available. This is affordable, this is sustainable. This is what can really jump start our transportation logistics businesses. So from a business perspective, they’re affordable. Vehicles under N20 million. There’re also opportunities for credit, and so that’s another thing that young Nigerians can look at. We talked about the transportation business Uber drivers, bolt and how they can lease vehicles like this, and they have the track record through technology to prove to their banks. We have the bankers to this project. 

She said, “The Nigeria first policy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to supporting investors exactly like the demographic we’re seeing here.”

She said the ministry had a domestic investors summit that focused on medium to large sized enterprises. “Now you would know that this project (SAGLEV EV plant) has been five years in the making, so the investor has committed significant funds, and what you see is an off take, an offshoot of years of planning, years of training, years of collaboration, partnerships, and now we have the fruit of it.”

On the company’s models, she said, “We’ve also have the highend range. I had the privilege of driving the highend range, and I really enjoyed it. You can see from my smile, these are vehicles that use like 80% less of power. I got the statistics from the chairman, and it’s really what can take Nigeria to the next level. What can help productivity, with projects like our coastal road. You know what that’s going to mean as a multiplier effect for the Nigerian economy. And so I’m really excited to see the opportunity of this supply for the demand that is in the Nigerian economy. Nigerians are extremely patriotic.”

Nigerians, she said like product made in the country, saying, “I think that we should stop this rhetoric of Nigerians not patronising Nigerian products. This is an investor who has brought in a product that is Chinese and going to be domiciled here, that’s in manufacturing. He also has his own brand that will be manufactured right here. SKD means you put different levels of finishing touches, but all the way with the opportunity to scale to CKD that’s the completely knocked down part to be manufactured here. This is what creates jobs. This is what makes competitiveness and this is what makes an economy grow. There’s no shortcut to the work it takes. So we really need to acknowledge and support investors who have taken the hard road of going to finding land, finding technical partners, going through trade facilitation with our ports, all the reforms that are ongoing now, and making sure they’re training young Nigerian technicians, making sure they’re also looking to how they would expand after finishing the Nigerian market, or even while finishing the Nigerian market, exporting to the African continental free trade area. 

So it’s really such an opportunity for growth, and this is exactly what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to see and how he wants to support domestic investors.”

On automotive policies, the Director General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin said, “First of all, we came up with EV policy, that’s a vehicle electrification policy, which is already on. And then last week Thursday, we released the first National Occupational Standard, on how to maintain and how to service electric vehicles. This is the first curriculum that we are going to be using for training the technicians. 

“So all the universities, Technical Colleges of Education and all the polytechnics are going to derive their curriculum from this National Occupational Standard, which is going to be used to train people that will work on electric vehicles. These are part of the policy we have brought up to support the adoption of electric vehicles in Nigeria.

The CEO of SAGLEV, Dr Gbenga Faleye said it was more productive to assemble or manufacture vehicles in Nigeria than import full-bodied vehicles because the country’s engineers, technicians and students in schools of technology will gain hands-on knowledge. 

He said the imported car “does nothing. But if you give incentive for import duty, tell those people who are importing the car that you have to add value here by assembling it here. Very simple. If we can do it, other people can do it too. Just simply insist, manufacture it here, do the SKD here and verify that the SKD is being brought in appropriately. It’s very simple. So that’s one challenge. Of course, the ease of doing business is there. I have to confess, I’m not a critic of government because, I just don’t do it. It’s not productive. I want to focus on the positives. So the government is indeed changing a lot of things. The importation picture is slowly changing.”

TIPS OF THE WEEK

8 Signs You Could Have Brake Problems

Car brake repair and brake servicing are important parts of proper vehicle maintenance. When you take care of your brakes, they’ll take care of you when you need them most. However, even with regular maintenance, the brakes on your vehicle may require a professional inspection and servicing if you encounter one or more of these eight brake problem warning signs and symptoms.

1. Brake Light On

If a brake light indicator appears on your dashboard, it’s either time for your regular maintenance or it’s an alert to a potential problem. These are some of the more common dashboard alerts that appear in today’s vehicles. Note: Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for possible causes for these and other indicators.

Brake Pad Indicator

This light lets you know your brake pads may be wearing out, along with other non-visible reasons. Either way, get them inspected at Les Schwab.

Brake Fluid Level Indicator

This light will flash when your brake fluid levels are low. You may be able to top off the fluid to keep your brakes functioning properly, or stop by your local Les Schwab and we’ll give you a hand.

Parking Brake Indicator

When this light appears, your parking brake is either engaged or there is a problem with it. To diagnose the possible issue, engage and disengage your parking brake. If the indicator goes away, there are no issues. If it still won’t go away, come to Les Schwab.

2. Squealing or Squeaking Noises

Odd or unusual noises coming from your brakes aren’t always a sign of problems. It could just be a foreign object lodged in your brakes (a pebble or debris). It could also be your brake-pad wear indicators. These bits of metal in your brake pad come in contact with the rotor to emit a high-pitched noise when you apply the brakes. This lets you know it’s time to get your brake pads replaced.

3. Grinding Noises

Grinding noises, whether you have disc or drum brakes, could mean your brakes need servicing right away. In some cases, the sounds may be the brake pad or shoe scraping on metal contact points. A trip to Les Schwab is recommended when you hear or feel any form of brake grinding.

4. Wobbling, Vibrating, or Pulsing When Braking

If your steering wheel or vehicle shakes, vibrates, or pulses when you apply the brakes, it could be an uneven rotor. Brake rotors, which are a vital part of your disc brakes, are large metal discs attached to both ends of your vehicle’s axle. When you hit the brakes, the brake pads push against the rotors, which stops your wheels from spinning.

Wobbling, vibrating, or pulsing can occur if the rotor surface area is not flat (has uneven areas). Over time, it’s normal for the rotor surface to wear down and possibly become uneven. Braking friction, when you apply the brakes, results in the transfer of pad material to the rotor surface. If the pad material transfers unevenly, you may experience vibration when braking. Left uneven, the material will continue to accumulate, worsening over time. During brake servicing, the face of the rotor should be smoothed or evened out to correct flaws and keep you from feeling a wobble when you brake. If the rotors are too far worn to be serviced, they will need to be replaced.

5. Leaking Fluid

When you apply your brakes, a lot of things happen all at once. An important part of the process involves brake fluid. This is used to create hydraulic pressure, which pushes the brake pad against the rotor (the large metal disc attached to the end of your axle). If your vehicle has no brake fluid, you won’t be able to stop safely. Check your vehicle’s brake fluid often. Not sure how? Stop by Les Schwab and we’ll be glad to help.

6. Spongy or Soft Brakes

When you press on the brakes, you want to feel some resistance. If they feel soft or the pedal goes all the way to the floorboard, it could indicate air or moisture in the braking system. 

It could also be a problem with the master cylinder, which is often located in the engine compartment near the brake pedal. This cylinder is where the whole braking system starts. If the master cylinder is malfunctioning, the pressure you apply to the brakes won’t activate the calipers to then press the pads against the rotors. In other words, you might not stop when needed. If you notice spongy or soft brakes, get to Les Schwab.

7. Car Pulling to One Side When Braking

While this could be caused by any number of vehicle issues, it could be your brakes. When this happens on the front brakes, one brake may be working while another is not. This causes pull in the direction of the side that is creating braking force (still working). If only one rear caliper is not working properly, it can go unnoticed. Get your brakes inspected regularly at Les Schwab to spot these issues before they become a problem.

8. Burning Smells

A sharp, chemical odor could be a sign of overheated brakes. To avoid brake failure, pull over to a safe place and allow the brakes to cool. Double-check that the parking brake is off. If there’s any smoke coming from a wheel, it may be that the brake caliper is malfunctioning and locked in place. In this case, it may be unsafe to continue driving without immediate repairs.

What Happens If You Drive With Bad Brakes?

Driving with bad or worn brakes can be dangerous for you and your family — especially if those brakes fail to stop your vehicle when necessary. If you experience any of these 8 brake problems or warning signs, get them inspected and serviced immediately. Don’t wait. Your safety is riding on them. Stop by Les Schwab for a free visual brake inspection and recommendations to get your brakes in tip-top shape.

How Do I Know If I Really Need New Brakes?

There are a lot of moving parts and special fluids to consider when diagnosing your brakes. When dust and small rocks get into your braking system, you’ll hear some concerning squealing. Thankfully, that issue is easy to fix. Other problems require immediate repairs. We have some tips to help you decide if you really need brake servicing. If you’re still not sure, stop by Les Schwab and our pros will take a look.

How To Extend The Life Of Your Brakes?

Getting the most out of your brakes can add safety to every outing and save you money. Tips include carefully watching traffic to avoid stomping hard on the brakes, planning ahead when driving in the snow and rain so you’re not constantly applying brake pressure, as well as other smart driving tips to prolong the life of your pads and rotors.

Les Schwab Knows Brakes and Safety

The more you drive, the quicker your brake parts will wear out. Delaying needed services could put you at risk. Anytime you experience braking problems or want to have your brakes professionally checked, get to your local Les Schwab. Our pros understand how every part of your braking system works together for your safety. Schedule your appointment, or just stop by and we’ll help you get safely back on the road. (Source: Les Schwab)

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