Newly elected chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, Mr Akin Oyediran, has canvassed for collaboration between states and federal governments to improve the manufacturing sector of the economy.
Oyediran, who is the Managing Director of Syringe Manufacturing Company in Akwa Ibom was elected chairman of the association following the expiration of the tenure of office of Engr Giandomenicco Massari.
Speaking at a public lecture during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in Uyo, on Friday, the national president of MAN, Engr Mansur Ahmed urged the federal and state governments to institute a more effective and efficient consultative mechanism with the association to ensure sustenance of existing manufacturing companies and check others which are at the verge of collapse due to outweighed infrastructural and other economic challenges.
Ahmed explained that the lacklustre performance of the national economy has made it imperative for the association to rethink in line with the national development strategy in order to avoid unpleasant consequences of economic recession and reversal of progress recorded by the association after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The president, who spoke virtually, disclosed that the manufacturing sector was one of the largest sectors in wealth creation, skills development and technology transfer and has become necessary for federal and state governments, as well as other agencies, to work in synergy by accommodating critical stakeholders in fashioning out appropriate strategies to improve and stabilise the economy.
He suggested a constant partnership between the federal and state governments for the total rehabilitation of roads to boost the movement of manufacturing activities and encourage economic development.
The MAN president appealed to governments at all levels to hearken to the need of business operators for appropriate incentives and infrastructure that would ameliorate business constraints and encourage new investors.
He advocated what he described as “a system check” to be carried out on the regulatory contract of certain agencies and organs of governments that negatively impact manufacturing and discourage would-be investors.
Ahmed said that manufacturers would be excited when governments at all levels intensify efforts in encouraging investment in manufacturing, facilitating the establishment of industrial parks, granting incentives to manufacturers and promoting industrial expansion including employment generation.
He also made a case for governments to harmonise taxes, especially local government and road-related levies to aid compliance by the association’s members, remove the use of inflation, exploitation and harassment by government officials.
Ahmed appreciated Governor Udom Emmanuel for improving road Infrastructure in the state, tackling insecurity and appealed to him to focus more on roads that need urgent attention.
The former chairman of MAN, Cross River/Akwa Ibom branch, Chief Giandomenica Massari noted that the manufacturing sector in many countries was in a state of transition and requires viable diversification to consolidate the sector.
He pointed out that manufacturing has a paramount role to harness the nation’s economy by creating jobs, transferring technology and establishing capacity building on workmanship.
He observed that no meaningful development can take place in a chaotic environment and enjoined all Nigerians to join hands with leaders to move the state and country forward.
The Akwa Ibom commissioner for trade and investment, Mr Camillus Umoh applauded MAN for its contributions to raising Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) in the country and boosting the state’s economy.
Represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr Oliver Udokpo, the commissioner said that made-in-Akwa Ibom products and delicacies were on exhibition during the recently concluded AKISAN meeting in Charlotte, USA.
He said Akwa Ibom people at home and in the Diaspora were very industrious, stressing that some people from the state contingent to the AKISAN meeting exported various foodstuffs including cocoyam, shrimps, plump green vegetables, raffia bags and shoes, which were sold in dollars.
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According to him, apart from stimulating the bilateral trade between Akwa Ibom and the United States, the exercise further boosted the economy of the state.
Umoh saluted the industry of Akwa Ibom people, saying that the ministry of trade and investment would continue to encourage and promote the completion agenda of the governor.
He informed the gathering of numerous industrial revolutions dotted across Akwa Ibom, mentioning the flour mill, tissue factory, plastic industry, coconut processing industry, and Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company, among others.
Umoh maintained through the proactive effort of the ministry of trade and investment, the state has attracted the Bank of Industry (BOI) and provided the financial institution with a facility to commence services.
The commissioner lauded members of the MAN in Akwa Ibom and Cross River for their 15th AGM/Public lecture, assuring of the government’s continuous cooperation with the body for effective service delivery.
The Governor of Cross River, Professor Ben Ayade, who spoke through the state commissioner for commerce, Mrs Rosemary Archibong, pledged continuous synergy with the association for success to be achieved.
However, the association embarked on a facility tour of Akwa Ibom Syringe Manufacturing Company at Onna Local Government Area of the State shortly after their 15th annual general meeting/public lecture and were received upon arrival at the factory where they were conducted round different departments in the company.
Addressing members of the association, the Managing Director Mr Akin Oyediran disclosed that the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company is the brainchild of Gov Udom Emmanuel’s industrialization policy.
He said the firm remains the largest disposable syringe factory in Africa.
Oyediran, who was assisted on the tour by the quality assurance supervisor of the company, Ms Ruth, an indigene of the state, explained that the company produces mainly three types of syringes, which include 2ml, 5ml and 10ml, which according to him are made with state of the art technology, from high-quality medical grade raw materials, adding that each process was usually monitored carefully, to ensure it passes the rigorous Quality Assurance monitoring.
According to them, all personnel of the factory, numbering over 200, are properly trained to understand their different roles, with one expertrait, to enhance effective service delivery to the consumers and end users.
The quality assurance supervisor maintained that the company was poised to ensure timely delivery of their products to customers in the best condition, irrespective of their location in the world.
Speaking with newsmen after the facility tour, Oyediran, who was very excited to play host to members of MAN in the region, commended the state governor on his vision of industrializing the state, describing it as very fantastic and said the governor has done well in the area of foreign direct investment by bringing Akwa Ibom State to the world map, as an industrial zone.
He announced plans for the 5th anniversary celebration of the inauguration of the company which comes up on September 24, 2022, having commenced full operations on September 24, 2017.
“The Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company has five main departments which include moulding, serigraphy, assembly, packing and sterilizing departments for efficiency.”
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