Dealers in building ma
terials have asked the Federal Government to increase tariff on imported building materials to protect local manufacturers.
The Chairman of Finished Building Material Dealers Association, Mr. Anayo Uzosike, gave this charge in his office at the Mile 3 building materials section in Port Harcourt Monday.
Uzosike lamented the high cost of building materials, explaining that this was as a result of the high production cost incurred local manufactures of these products.
Uzosike, who also expressed worry over the unfavorable business climate and influx of imported building materials into the market, urged to take measures that would protect local manufactures of these products.
He noted that one of the ways to improve the business environment was to ensure uninterrupted and adequate power supply while commending the government on the recent steady power supply in the country.
Another snag, Uzosike observed, was Nigerians craze for “imported goods”, saying that most Nigerians insist on China products which is reality are inferior to locally produced goods and enjoined the government to discourage this trend which he said was borne out of interiority complex.
He regretted that Nigerians are being ripped off by unscrupulous importers and businessmen whom he said never meant well for Nigeria and contributed nothing to the growth of the nation’s economy, pointing out that Nigeria is one of the best places to profitably run a business.
He commended the new move on Industrial Policy, stating that if implemented, Nigeria’s economy will be on the path to growth, while thanking the Bank of Industries for its support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

Tonye Nria-Dappa