Esmond Reid, the Jamaican High Commissioner to Nigeria, says preparations are being made for his nation to begin importing vehicles from Nigeria's Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing (IVM).
Reid revealed this on Saturday when giving a tour of the IVM plant in Nnewi, Anambra, together with the minister of foreign affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama.
For us, he continued, it is a great opportunity to see automobile production take place in Nigeria, one of our southern brothers.
"There is also an opportunity to talk about business potential for importing autos from Nigeria.
It's my first time here. To look at the timeline, decide on the discussions and engagements, and to establish when we will begin the process of sourcing the vehicles, I will go and consult with my stakeholders at home.
The high commissioner gave the plant a high rating and promised to invite residents of Jamaica to visit and take a look for themselves.
"I commend the company's management and express my sincere gratitude to the minister for facilitating my visit. This may be the beginning of something really special," he remarked.
Onyeama made a comment and demanded that the Presidential Executive Order requiring government officials to purchase and use Nigeria be strictly enforced.
"I'm quite proud. Comparatively speaking to other of the auto production facilities I have visited in other nations, this facility is of the highest caliber. Innoson is in good health.
"Left to me, every government official ought to be required to purchase and drive a vehicle made in Nigeria. Government officials are required by a presidential executive order to purchase Nigeria.
"The directive must be issued and made obligatory. In Japan, Korea, the UK, and the United States, it is impossible to observe a representative of the French government driving a non-French vehicle.
"The same is required of us here.
This will help our residents and debunk technology, he remarked, encouraging and assisting them.
The minister claimed that when the Jamaican High Commissioner asked to view the outstanding things happening in Nigeria, he helped arrange the visit to IVM.
He declared, "We view these Caribbean nations as our brothers and sisters, and we seek to expand our mutual commerce and cooperation."
The Chairman of IVM, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government for helping the nation's manufacturing sector in his remarks.
Chukwuma urged Nigerians to constantly buy his goods, promising them high-quality, long-lasting automobiles.
Also, Chief Honfery Nkeonadi, the South-East President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mining, and Agriculture, praised Innoson for his contribution to innovation and for making Africans proud.