…demands for an Environment That Promotes Competitiveness
The Manufacturers Association Of Nigeria (MAN )has expressed concerns that even as the economy continues to experience very slow growth, our policymakers at all levels continue to compound the situation by introducing new taxes, further worsening the difficult and high-cost operating environment.
MAN expresses its frustration at a press conference organized to mark the 50th anniversary of its existence of the association on Thursday in Lagos.
According to the president of the association, Mansur Ahmed, who also spoke at the 2nd Adeola Odutola Lecture the theme of the 50th anniversary is: “An Agenda for Nigeria’s Industrialization for the Next Decade”
According to him, this is borne out of the need to take stock of the nation’s journey to industrialization, to ascertain the pains, highlight the performance limiters; recognize the gains and growth milestones; to identify the learning curves and hurdles ahead.
“All these with a view to crafting a robust agenda for resetting industrialization, albeit manufacturing in Nigeria.”
He said the significance of an electioneering year further propels MAN to bring to the consciousness of aspiring leaders of the nation the importance of a virile manufacturing sector. “To put forward the case of being intentional about accelerating the growth and development of the sector in their agenda on the economy.”
“Over the years, the performance of the manufacturing sector has been constrained by numerous familiar challenges that are clearly espoused in our numerous presentations and submissions to the Government. Even our communications with you, our partners, sometimes appear to be repetitive about the same issues that remained unabated.”
“It is indeed a matter of great concern to our members that even as our economy continues to experience very slow growth, our policymakers at all levels continue to compound the situation by introducing new taxes, further worsening the difficult and high-cost operating environment. In some climes, when the economy slows down Government reduce taxes to encourage businesses to expand, create more jobs and increase economic activities. What we are seeing in Nigeria today is not only increasing tax rate but introducing new taxes and turning every public agency into a revenue collector”
He said, in the midst of the challenges, MAN is resilient and soldier on with it advocacy for a conducive atmosphere for the operation of manufacturing business in Nigeria. “We continue to work towards ensuring that Nigeria becomes an environment that promotes competitiveness.”
The MAN president disclosed that Aliko Dangote, GCON, the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group is the distinguished Guest Speaker of the lecture.
He will be speaking to a wide spectrum of distinguished guests from the public and private sectors on the theme of the AGM.
Other dignitaries expected at the event are Niyi Adebayo, minister of industry, Trade and Investment who will be the guest of honour, Senate President, Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Minister of Power, Directors General of Federal Departments and Agencies and Representatives of Diplomatic Corps.
To give you a typical rundown of this year’s event, the programme will, as usual, run for three days at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island as follows:
The programme of activities will feature the following: Day 1, Opening Ceremony of the 3-day Made in Nigeria Products Exhibition scheduled for Monday 17 October 2022 at 10am prompt. The exhibition will be a convergence of industry players, marketers, as well as consumers to experience a new world of quality products that are made in Nigeria. This is aimed at enlisting patronage of locally manufactured goods.
Day 2, 2nd Edition of the Adeola Odutola Lecture /Presidential Luncheon holding on Tuesday 18 October 2022 at 11am. The Distinguished Guest Speaker will speak to the theme of the AGM. As you are all aware, the 3-day exhibition continues on this day.
Day 3, the Private Session of the 50th Annual General Meeting, which is a strictly MAN members affairs, holds on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. The entire programme will then wind-up with the closing ceremony of the 3-day Exhibition of the Made in Nigeria Products.
Olusola Bello