Port Harcourt, Nov. 1, 2023 (NAN) The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), on Tuesday called on Rivers State Government to set up the state investment promotion office in order to actualise the industrialisation agenda.
The National President of MAN, Mr Otunba Meshioye, made the call at a two-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association for 2023 in Port Harcourt.
Meshioye said that the consequences of the recent development of government reform measures, pronouncements and policies made the AGM mandatory to engage partners and government on sensitive issues.
He listed some of the recent reforms to include the removal of fuel subsidy, structure of the narrative rates and the increase in monetary policy rate.
“The consequences of this nature has made the annual general meeting with the theme, “Re-igniting Industrialization and Enterpreneurship in South-South Region” apt and quite timely,” he said.
Meshioye said the poor performance of the national economy in the last few years, which the federating states were part of, had made it imperative for state governments to appreciate the real sector’s contributions in job and wealth creation.
He said that the association applauded the state government for the improved road network which cut across the 23 local government council.
He urged government to recognise the need to harmonise taxes in the state to make it easier for the manufacturing business to prosper.
He appealed for closer relationship between MAN and the government in order to inspire investors’ confidence while calling for transformation of the Onne Seaport to maximise the business and triple potentials of the region.
Meshioye urged the state government to develop industrial zones and clusters with infrastructures as well as provide enabling environment for the association to thrive in the state.
He said that the development would boast activities of industries and expand job creation for the citizenry of the state.
The National President urged MAN members to continue to fulfil their obligations by prompt payment of their dues and subscriptions.
Also speaking, Mr Vincent Okoku, the Chairman, MAN Rivers/Bayelsa State, noted that no nation becomes industrialised without manufacturers association.
Okoku called on the federal government to pay special attention to manufacturing institution, develop road, rail and water ways exports.
Speaking on “Re-igniting Industrialization and Entrepreneurship in the South-South Region” in his keynote address, Mr Kevin Uwaibi stated that industrialization begot job creation, economic development, technology, infrastructure development while reducing crime in a region.
Uwaibi, who is the Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office, said that for South-South region to be industrialized, skills were needed to be put at the front burner.
