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By Joel Anekwe, Port Harcourt
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has declared its opposition to the planned ban on electricity generating sets, noting that it would have negative impact on the nation’s economy.
The umbrella body of manufacturers in Nigeria came out with this position during its 303rd National Council meeting held in Port Harcourt on Thursday saying it would be counter productive at this time, since it was not yet time for such a ban.
Speaking on the bill seeking the ban on importation of generators currently at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, MAN’s National President, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, contended that what the country should rather do was concentrate on improving power supply.
“Every key business activity needs private power source,” the MAN President noted, adding that any attempt to ban the importation of generators now would amount to “undercutting our own economy. Government has to think seriously.”
He said that MAN would support efforts to curtail importation of goods it can produce locally, adding that Nigeria would have to increase the local manufacture of generators both in terms of quantities and capacity “until we can rely less and less on importation’.
On the impact of the Corona virus pandemic on Nigeria manufacturers, Ahmed said it has serious impact on the manufacturing sector as it relates with the capacity of manufacturers to access funds to support their operations and also in terms of capacity to service existing bank facilities.
He called on the government to scale up efforts to minimise the impact of the virus on the national economy, praising the Central Bank of Nigeria for increasing the intervention fund on the coronavirus to N1.1 trillion, while emphasising the need for promt implementation.
The manufacturers also noted efforts by the Rivers State government to improve security and ease of doing business in the state, noting that the efforts had given rise to increased tempo in manufacturing activities in the state.
“I must commend the governor of our host state, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for ensuring improved security for citizens and businesses. Also, the recent inauguration of the Rivers State Ease of Doing Business Council by the governor is a sign of the state government’s commitment to support business in the state. This we believe is supportive of increased tempo in manufacturing production,” the MAN boss stated.
In support of the call by the Rivers branch of the association on the Federal Government to make the ports in the state fully operational, Ahmed emphasised the importance for government to pay attention to ports in the Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri to address the challenge of the port congestion and traffic gridlock at the Apapa corridor.
He explained that the 303 council meeting was the first time the association would hold it meeting outside of Lagos and was pursuant to the its determination to reflect the national outlook of the association.
He added that the National Council meeting would now be rotated among the 16 branches that make up MAN nationwide.