LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Chief Executive Officer of Asper Online Auctioning Company, Saheed Ashogbon, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to collaborate with his company in launching a $100 million investment in Nigeria’s automobile sector.
During a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the business owner based in the United States mentioned that his firm specializes in car auctioning through its online store.
They have proposed an initiative to the government aimed at clearing abandoned vehicles and makeshift dealers from roadsides, with a plan to consolidate automobile businesses in a specific location.
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Ashogbon clarified that beyond aiding the government in clearing roads of unnecessary parked cars, the initiative would provide a platform for owners of ‘end-of-life cars’ to swiftly find buyers for their abandoned vehicles.
According to the company’s research, nearly 500,000 abandoned vehicles are indiscriminately parked in Lagos alone.
He also mentioned that he chose to incorporate this initiative into his business operations in Nigeria and internationally following a meeting in 2022 where Tinubu urged increased investment in Nigeria during discussions with business owners in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
Ashogbon, recognized as an automotive expert, emphasized that with government support, the venture could significantly boost Nigeria’s GDP and generate 1,500 job opportunities for Nigerian youth.
“At the start of the business, 20 youths from each of the 57 local governments and local council development areas will be employed immediately for different already mapped duties. All we are waiting for is the government’s buy-in by providing 50 hectares of land in Badagry, Epe, and Ikorodu for the commencement of operations.”