From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
The Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government to deepen its policies on patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods by monitoring and evaluating its implementation across ministries, departments and agencies in the tiers of government.
MAN President, Mr. Francis Meshioye, who made the call during the opening ceremony of the three-day Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition at its 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos Tuesday, acknowledged that some policies, including Executive Orders 003 and 005, are signals that government appreciates the need to promote local production and encourage patronage of locally manufactured products.
However, “it is important that government takes immediate action to ensure the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of adherence to initiatives aimed at promoting the patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products among all ministries, departments and agencies of govt.
“This should also be cascaded to sub-nationals, including states and local governments.”
MAN said it anticipates a special day being designated on the national calendar as “Proudly Nigeria Day”, when all individuals and government ministries, departments and agencies would dress in locally made outfits and also prioritise the purchase of locally made products.
“Such initiatives would serve as catalysts to boost both the production and consumption of Made-in-Nigeria goods, a crucial milestone in the path towards a virile and competitive manufacturing sector,” Meshioye said.
“I am convinced that massive support for the growth of domestic production through the patronage of locally made goods will greatly improve capacity utilisation, job creation and manufacturing contribution to the gross domestic product.
On their part, the association said it remained focused on its advocacy for a conducive business environment and specific targeted policies that will support the patronage of locally made products, describing it as “strategic cornerstone for revitalising our struggling economy.”
Reaffirming the association’s commitment to promoting high quality and competitive locally made products, Meshioye urged all members to “continue to innovate and upgrade their manufacturing processes and product standards to foster increased competitiveness.
“This is particularly crucial in the light of the potential advantages that the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement presents for the manufacturing sector.”
Similarly, UNIDO Representative to ECOWAS, Ambassador Jean Bakole, stated that the prevailing economic situation in the world, particularly in Africa, makes it “apt for all Nigerians to start patronising goods and services produced locally to encourage local manufactures to support the economy growth.”
Bakole, who is the Regional Director, Nigeria Regional Hub and special guest of honour at the event, said that Nigeria, being a leading economy in Africa, “is expected to make steady progress through accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
“In order to achieve this and promote economic growth and sustainable development, there is need to support local manufacturers/MSME and start-ups involved in producing made-in-Nigeria goods.”
He noted that Nigeria has been growing other countries’ economies through over-dependence on imported goods, especially those which have local substitutes.
However, Nigeria “can easily experience a breakthrough in the quest for local content development and a stable, strong and advanced economy if Nigerians would encourage the production and patronise made-in-Nigeria products.
“It is a well-known fact that the economy of any nation grows rapidly when locally made goods are promoted through patronage, first by its people, then through export. Over-dependence on importation of goods weakens the currency, creates unemployment, and consistently reduces the GDP.
“On the other hand, local production will promote gainful employment for Nigerians and will reduce the dependence on the consumption of foreign products and reduce poverty.”
