Manufacturing: Ogun Recommits To Providing Enabling Environment

The Ogun State Government
yesterday reiterated its commitment to providing the enabling environment for manufacturing to thrive in the state.
Mr Bimbola Ashiru, the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, made the commitment at the 9th business luncheon of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Ota, Ogun State.
Ashiru was represented by Mrs Funke Ajayi, his Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry.
The theme of the luncheon was “Manufacturing in a Recession Period: Which Way Forward?’’
“The Ogun Government reiterates that it will always accord the welfare of the existing industrial organisations and prospective investors priority.
“The present administration in Ogun will not relent in its efforts to reappraise its policies and the implementation of these policies to make the environment conducive for investment to thrive.’’
According to him, the government is not unaware of the challenges confronting the manufacturing sector in this period of recession.
“However, judging from the current situation of the Nigerian economy, we all know that recession has affected all sectors of the economy, especially the manufacturing sector.’’
Ashiru identified the enormous challenges confronting the sector to include poor infrastructure, accessing foreign exchange to import raw materials and frequent power outages.
He urged manufacturers to cooperate with the state government to promote the development of infrastructure across the state.
The commissioner noted that cooperation would foster healthy, stable and virile economic activities for all and sundry.
Also speaking, Mr Wale Adegbite, the MAN Chairman, Ogun Chapter, said the topic was timely and apt as the economy was in distress due to the fall in the price of crude oil.