MAN, Anambra Govt., Want Increased Support For Manufacturing Sector

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Anambra State Government and other stakeholders have called for increased support for the manufacturing sector to drive Nigeria’s economy.

They made the call during the 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the MAN Anambra/Ebonyi/Enugu chapter, held on Friday in Enugu with the theme “Revitalising Nigeria’s Economy Through Manufacturing -Driven Non-Oil Export”.

According to them, the call is part of efforts to reshape Nigeria’s economy from oil-based to focus on non-oil exports to drive economic growth and reduce the current economic challenges the country is facing.

Speaking during the event in Enugu on Friday, the Chairperson, MAN Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi, Lady Ada Chukwudozie, said Nigeria needed a paradigm shift from what it used to be in terms of export by supporting manufacturing segment of the country.

Lady Chukwudozie noted that manufacturing was gradually becoming extinct, due to reliance mainly in oil sector posed which posed a significant challenge that include price volatility, environmental degradation and limited economic diversification.

She added that to ensure economic sustainability, the country must diversify and develop critical sector that drive nonoil sector.

The chairperson noted that several countries had successfully implemented manufacturing driven nonoil export strategies to drive economic growth and diversification.

“Singapore is a remarkable example that has driven manufacturing to driven nonoil export as they focus on innovation, research and development.

“To sustain this, we must prioritise investment in infrastructure, education and research to develop a skill and innovative workforce.

“We must develop policies that support manufacturing such as tax incentives, trade agreement and access to finance, focus on the development of high value added product and services that can compete globally.

“We in the manufacturing sector have challenges such as funds, market for the product, unhealthy competition, high production cost, lack of critical production inputs and unfriendly investment environment,” she said.

The former Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, said investment in manufacturing sector was a master key to solving the economic challenges facing Nigeria.

Dakuku, who is the Keynote Speaker, explained that when support were being given to manufacturing, more persons would invest, innovate, generate more product and become source of earning for the country

According to him, export driven manufacturing can help to achieve high growth trade and serve as import substitution.

“Manufacturing of nonoil export has proven to be the major tool for diversifying the economy and reducing Nigeria vulnerability, fluctuation in oil price and Nigeria should stop depending on oil and gas but focused on production.

“For  manufacturers to do well and export trade to grow, we need to develop our infrastructure such as the railway, airport, seaport and road network for movement of goods and services as well as ensuring competitive workforce.

“We also need to fix our power, provide incentives for manufacturers like export subsidy like tax free on certain export and ensure stability of monetary policy, interest rate as they influence manufacturing sector,” Dakuku said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Anambra, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, called for collaboration among the states in the southeast region to invest and support manufacturing sector.

Ibezim a Special Guest of Honour at the event, while describing Gov. Charles Soludo as a visionary leader, said the Southeast states should learn from each other, cross fertilise ideas and begin to work on the challenges affecting the non-oil sector in the zone.

He said: “Systematically we need to identify those areas that has comparative advantage with production and in Anambra , we are doing something different in Agriculture as we are doing revolution in palm tree and coconut”.

Earlier, Chairman of the event, Chief Martin Agbaso, regretted that the country embarked on various Structural Adjustment Programmes, discouraging export and pushing forward import.

He urged all the local government areas in Nigeria to begin to tap various natural resources in their locality to move the nation forward.

Highlights of the event include bestowing of awards to distinguished Nigerians, Gala Night and dance. (NAN)