From Taofiq Jimoh Adeniyi, Ilorin
The need for governments, both states and federal, to curb the menace of smuggling in the country so as to stimulate local production has again been stressed.
The Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria,( MAN), Kwara/Kogi Chapter, Dr. Kamoru Yusuf stated this on Thursday while speaking with journalists immediately after the 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM)of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Kwara/Kogi Chapter held at the Banquet Hall opposite Government House, Ilorin.
According to him, “the unfortunate and unpatriotic activities of these economic saboteurs have done a huge damage and have devastating effect on local manufacturers with the negative consequences on our investments.
“The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) considers this as a dangerous trend that requires urgent intervention of the Government.”
Earlier in his address at the public session of the AGM, Dr. Yusuf who is also the President/CEO of KAM Holdings Group Nigeria Ltd, a global business conglomerate operating in over 3 countries across 2 continents with headquarters in Kwara state, had lamented that the free flow of smuggled substandard products hampers the efforts of genuine Nigerian investors in ensuring full achievement of government objectives, employment generation, youths’ empowerment and improved human capital development among others.
On the objectives the AGM seeks to achieve, Dr. Yusuf noted that, “…our objectives at this AGM to consider ways in which we can ensure the continued prosperity of existing industries by proffering workable solutions to the challenges that are holding us back.”
The MAN chairman for Kwara/Kogi states said there is need for governments of the two states to adopt and implement a state wide policy on circular economy, not for industries alone but also for the people of both states. He also called for the provision of basic infrastructure to make manufacturing easier for every company and industry in both states.
