Citing environmental concerns, the House of Representatives yesterday queried the federal government’s 15-year restriction on imported used vehicles as it directed its committees on environment, road safety and Customs to conduct an environmental assessment of the policy and report back in four weeks.
A motion sponsored by Beni Lar (Plateau/PDP) noted that the federal government’s increase in the age of imported used vehicles has resulted in increases in the volume of such vehicles.
The federal government in November 2010 increased the age of imported vehicles from 10 years to 15 years, a move that received various criticisms by the general public, dealers and stakeholders in the local auto manufacturing industry.
“The world over, including countries such as the USA and Great Britain have lowered age restriction to 5 years on the vehicles…if the policy is not reviewed, the local auto manufacturing industry would be greatly affected while the environment problems associated with vehicle emissions would increase on the local and global level pollution level.” The Plateau lawmaker said in her lead debate.
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