The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), says that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s economic reforms have created the enabling environment for business growth in the state.
Chairman, MAN, Edo/ Delta, Dr Alofoje Unuigboje made this remark while speaking at the 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association in Benin, Friday.
The theme of the AGM is: “The Nexus of Science, Technology and Industry”.
The association, which decried the challenges its members were facing in Delta, noted the positive disposition of Obaseki-led administration towards a private sector-led economy.
Unuigboje said the governor’s elimination of barriers to business through reforms, had attracted more businesses from the neighbouring states.
According to the manufacturers, the exodus of companies to Edo from other states including Delta is happening due to the growing investor confidence the state government has put in place.
He said the friendly policy had created the platform for the ease of doing business by manufacturers in Edo, devoid of any man-made encumbrances.
Unuigboje lamented that manufacturers in Delta had to contend with some challenges and all manner of charges and fees collected on Delta roads by those he described as “urchins”.
According to him, the ease of doing business has led to considerable improvement of economic activities in Edo in view of the free movement of goods on the state roads.
“In addition to this, there is the absence of numerous urchins from industrial premises, who impose arbitrary and extortionate demands”.
Unuigboje explained that the major consumer in any society was government, and lauded the government’s  support for industries in its geographical zone, through patronage of local products.
“It makes good business sense, as it is a necessary internal development that boosts the economy of the state.
“Supporting local industries through patronage of local products is not a favour but a reflection of enlightened self-interest,” he said.
The National President of MAN, Dr Frank Jacobs, lamented that the manufacturing sector was adversely affected by the recession, which the country recently exited.
He urged the federal and state governments to work together and carry relevant stakeholders along in designing appropriate strategies to improve and stabilise the country’s economy.
Jacobs charged the Delta and Edo Governments to intensify efforts on attracting more investments, saying that both states still lagged behind in industrial development.