OPS slams NCC, CBN, NAFDAC over sanctions on members –28

OPS slams NCC, CBN, NAFDAC over sanctions on members –28

By Our Reporter  on November 30, 2015   Business
Bill to patronise Nigerian products underway –FG
From: Walter Ukaegbu, Abuja
THE Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Ikechukwu Enelemah, has hinted that a bill for local patronage that will guarantee and expand the do­mestic market in Nigeria is cur­rently been prepared for legisla­tion.
Enelemah who revealed this at the weekend, said the bill will not only encourage local patron­age of made in Nigeria goods but also ensure the revival of the country’s moribund industries.
In his words: “ The textile industry which is steadily be­ing revived under the Bank of Industry’s N100billion Cotton, Textile and Garments (CTG) Development Fund would be a major beneficiary of this legisla­tion.”
He further disclosed that “the Ministry also intends to make manufacturing much more com­petitive and vibrant than what is presently on ground.
We are mindful of the fact that manufacturing and industrial sector development is critical to employment generation, wealth creation and general economic transformation.
“No nation has ever devel­oped by being exporter of raw materials and importer of fin­ished products. To attain devel­opment, we must change the matrix.” he added.
The minister hinted that “the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) which is champi­oned by the Ministry specifical­ly addresses the manufacturing sector in Nigeria as a catalyst to the transformation of the econ­omy into a dynamic and more virile industrial base where the manufacturing sector would be capable of contributing at least 12 per cent to the GDP and grow to 17 per cent within the next five years.”
Earlier representative of Ni­geria Labour Congress (NLC) and Chairman, Industrial Global Union, African Union members Executive Council, Comrade Isa Aremu, in his speech at the event, urged the Federal Gov­ernment to quickly eradicate smuggling in the country as it is speedily killing the local in­dustries adding that it has under­mined the development of our local economy.
He also urged the government to fix the problem of poor power supply adding that “there can­not be industrialization without electricity.”