Benin, Edo, Nigeria – By Oladipo Airenakho.
Edo-Delta States branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the governments of their two respective states to adopt proactive strategies to strengthen this vital sector of their economies.
According to the association, such practical approach would enable them contribute meaningfully towards Nigeria’s much-talked about Industrial Revolution plan of President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
The association’s branch Chairman, Mr. Humphrey Emuobor Masodje, made this remark on Wednesday in an interview with Alltimepost.com correspondent at their 28th Annual General Meeting in Benin City, Edo State.
Mr. Masodje saluted the captains of the Industries in both states for their steadfastness in continuously propelling the economic wheels that have been driving the development of Edo and Delta states in the face of daunting challenges.
He was of the belief that governments of both states could do better by providing a more conducive business environment for its members to operate.
He said a situation where uncoordinated multiple and unfriendly tax administration are imposed on members of the association by agents of Government did not augur well for the people of the two states and Nigeria.
According to him, Obstacles, arising from duplication of taxes and levies by some tiers of Governments, unjustified bill by Ministries of Environment and Waste Management Board and harassment by Government agencies, amongst others, have made the operating environment for members so difficult.
As a result, he said the business projection for the year has remained largely unattainable.
He however said it was the expectation of members that Government engage the Organized Private Sector (OPS}) on a quarterly basis to exhaustively deliberate on the right synergy for economic development of the two states.
Apart from the tax-collecting agents of government who have made the manufacturing sector unattractive and difficult to operate in, Mr. Masodje said the continuing stringent conditions for accessing long term loans and credits, inadequate power and high fixed charge tariff were an impediment to the progress of many promising industries in the two states.
To reverse these negative trends, the Branch Chairman stressed the need for their respective governments to be proactive and create an effective industrial policy that would be a reference material on investments guide and industrialization framework.
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