By Ahmad Umar
Gombe (Nigeria)–Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged State Governors to strive to ensure the growth and sustenance of the manufacturing sector in their respective States.
National President of MAN, Frank Udemba Jacobs, made the call on Friday at the opening of the 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) North-East Zone of the Association, held in Gombe , northeast of the country.
Udemba Jacobs who was represented by the North-East zone Chairman, Ahmad Mai Abba described the manufacturing sector as one of the most viable reliable partners of Government in creating wealth, generating employment and engaging skill acquisition.
“Your Excellency, I appeal to you and your colleagues to patronize made-in-Nigeria products, Government remain the largest single spender in the economy and could drive industrial development and economic growth by increasing its patronage of locally made products”, Frank said through the
He decried the unhealthy operating environment in the North-East due to the security challenges and the recession of the 2016 down to the first quarter of the year 2017, which made business opportunities so gloomy.
The National President however congratulated Governments and people of the North-East sub-region for once again having a healthier living environment and improved security.
Also speaking Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo who was represented by the General Manager, State’s Investment and Property Development Company, Jalo Ahmed Ganga, said his administration’s open door policy is the best in the North-East sub-region of the country towards advancing economic growth.
According to him, there were deliberate efforts made to reposition the economy of the State, adjudged the most peaceful in the North-East, through embarking on infrastructural developments such as road construction, provision of electricity and potable water for domestic and industrial purposes.
He said the State is committed towards ensuring that investors carry out their businesses without fear, intimidation or molestation.
The Governor expressed Government’s determination to partner with MAN in all industrial matters, especially now that focus is on diversification of the economy.
“In order to promote both commercial and industrial activities, the administration established an industrial cluster/enterprise zone, procurement of bakery machines from China for use by Master Bakers Association, procurement of oil expeller machines to promote the business, procurement of leath machines for metal fabrication as well as established commodity depot and exchange centre to facilitate export trade and boost internally generated revenue as a panacea to the nation’s dwindling economy,” he stated.
