Infrastructure Deficit Forcing Manufacturers Out Of Nigeria -Unionist

Epileptic power supply, insecurity and  a lack of key infrastructure have continued to force industrialists out of Nigeria, a labour activist, Mr Babatunde Olatunji, has said.
Olatunji, President of the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANPE) made the statement at the 28th Annual Industrial Relations seminar of the union, taking place in Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti.
He lamented that insecurity was particularly affecting manufacturers, such that many were being forced to sell their plants to find safety in other countries.
Olatunji said that the challenges were making employers to hide under the guise of economic instability to convert their regular workers to contract workers.
According to him, the inability of local manufacturers to produce at required capacity has resulted to an influx of foreign goods into Nigeria.
“There is massive importation of poor quality and cheaper items such as toothpick, soaps, matches and many others, which cause stiff competition for locally produced goods.
“It is important for the government to chart a clear policy direction and ensure effective implementation of economic policies for the manufacturing sector to survive,” the unionist said.