By Bimbola Oyesola
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) yesterday blamed the unfriendly operating environment as the main reason made in Nigeria products cannot compete with others coming in from developed countries.
President of MAN, Frank Jacobs, while speaking at the opening ceremony of the second Nigeria Manufacturing Equipment (NME) Expo and Manufacturing Partnership and Development (mPAD), which began in Lagos Tuesday, said Nigerian products cannot compete on prices due to the high cost of production.
According to him, manufacturers have to contend with power problem, which mostly contribute to almost half of the cost of production in addition government policies, financial problem and other infrastructural challenges.
“Why our products cannot competitive on prices, is because of the environment we find ourselves,” he said, adding that despite these challenges, manufacturers are doing their best to exist.
According to him, part of the efforts towards sustainability is the ongoing 3 in 1 international expo which has helped manufacturers to record profound success in the Federal Government’s diversification agenda.
Jacobs however, expressed the association’s readiness to launch out on the international level, assuring foreign exhibitors that members of MAN are prepared to extend their hand of fellowship to those willing to establish businesses in Nigeria or partner with them.
The Managing Director of Clarion Event West Africa, organisers of the expo, Mr. Dele Alimi, charged Nigerians to patronise made in Nigeria products in order to move the country forward.
“If we want Nigeria to work, we must patronise Nigerian product. Our products, in terms of standard, can compete effectively with other products anywhere in the world but we must be seen supporting our manufacturers in their drive to take the country out of recession,” he said.
The Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr. Hussaini Ibrahim, who was represented by his Director of Investment Consultancy Services, Dr. Zainab Hammanga, also called on Nigerians to ensure that they dress in Nigerian fabrics and use other locally made products.
“If we cannot dress 100 per cent Nigeria, we must ensure that 40-50 per cent of what we wear are Nigerian,” she said.