By RAZAQ BAMIDELE
Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara has pledged that his administration would work and collaborate with manufacturers in the state with a view to creating more job opportunities for the youths.
Abdur-Razaq, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Kayode Alabi, the spoke at the 5th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Kwara/Kogi Chapter.
The governor further assured that state government will establish working partnership with industrialists in a bid to combat joblessness and boost economic recovery in the state.
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In his address, the Chairman of the group, Dr. Kamorudeen Yusuf, disclosed that smuggling of illegal items into the nation has become a trending issue in the country in recent time constituting serious threat to manufacturers.
He further noted that stimulation of local production of various products have generated millions of direct employment of Nigerians and attracted huge investment from new as well as the existing plants in Nigeria.
His words: “Galvanised Roofing Sheets, Automotive Batter, furniture, cigarettes unfortunate and unpatriotic activities of the economic saboteurs have done a huge damage and devastating effect on the manufacturers with the negative consequences on our investment.”
“Despite all the efforts by the Nigerian investors in various sectors of the economy to ensure full achievement of the Federal Government objectives of economy recovery, employment generation, youth empowerment and improved human capital development.
“The market has continually recorded free flow of smuggled substandard products which are dumped by some countries through their cronies in the country, which is antithetical to industrial development and aspiration of Nigerian people.”
Dr. Kamorudeen, who is also the Group Managing Director/CEO of KAM Industries Nigeria Limited pleaded for government intervention to savage the ugly situation to curb the negative effect as it may trickle down to citizens as well.
