The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has faulted the Federal Government for lifting a ban on the importation of 43 items into the country.
The Central Bank of Nigeria had lifted the foreign exchange restrictions it placed on the importation of the items eight years ago.
The items include rice, cement, margarine, palm kernel, palm oil products, vegetable oil, meat and processed meat products, vegetables and processed vegetable products, Poultry and processed poultry products, among others.
While speaking on this last Friday at the 37th Annual General meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, the Chairman, MAN, Edo/Delta branch, Dr Okwara Udensi, said, “The effect of lifting these 43 these items is so much because local manufacturers have invested in these items.
“It seems the government is not part of this country. Why did they reverse these items? Nigerians always feel that items coming from abroad are superior.
“Companies are now closing down because of bad government policies. If the manufacturing sector is allowed to die, Nigeria is finished.
“A critical appraisal of the business environment in Delta State shows that the cost of doing business is high and the operating environment is still not conducive enough.
“The period is incredibly challenging for companies into manufacturing due to the worsening prohibitive cost of energy. As a result of epileptic power supply, most companies had to depend on the already prohibitive cost of diesel to run their factories”.
Udensi appealed to the Edo State Government to upgrade road infrastructure, especially within the Utesi industrial estates.
He urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to, as a matter of urgency, address the use of touts in the guise of consultants, who go about harassing manufacturers for revenue collection.
The Director of Technical Service, Edo Internal Revenue Service, Mr Okoruwn Osaretiv, gave an assurance that the state would address issues raised.
He said if there is no manufacturing, no production and no sale, there will be no nothing to collect tax on.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevweri, who was represented by his Senior Policy Adviser, Mr Funkekeme Solomon, said tax incentives would soon be unveiled for companies to take advantage of the opportunities on offer.
“Manufacturers are facing challenges beyond what they have to deal with before.
“From access to credit, sourcing of foreign currency, unreliable public power supply, multiple taxation and, more importantly, dwindling purchasing power of consumers due to the near collapse of the Naira, manufacturers are under tremendous pressure”, he said.