Buying vehicles from unregistered dealers is criminal offence, FG warns

The Federal Government has warned ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that purchasing vehicles from unregistered suppliers constitutes a criminal offence punishable by prosecution.

According to PUNCH, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Adebowale Adesanya, issued the warning during a joint news conference in Abuja on Friday.

He said government agencies must purchase vehicles only from suppliers registered with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

“If they do, it is a criminal offence. It is subject to prosecution,” Adesanya warned.

He explained that the directive supports the Federal Government’s Nigeria First policy, which prioritises locally manufactured products and encourages domestic industrial development.

Adesanya added that a joint monitoring committee had been established to ensure compliance.

Meanwhile, NADDC Director-General Joseph Osanipin disclosed that Nigeria currently produces less than eight per cent of the vehicles it consumes.

He said the council aims to increase local production to 70 per cent, reducing dependence on imported vehicles nationwide.