From Tony John, Port Harcourt
South-South state governments have been appealed to upgrade infrastructure in their areas to get ahead in the new trade era in Africa known as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The advice was given by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers/Bayelsa chapter, in a communique issued at the end of its 39th annual general meeting and conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
MAN said neglect of infrastructure may make goods to sleep on the roads to ports for weeks and deny Nigeria good participation in AfCFTA.
In the communique signed by the chapter chairman, Vincent Okuku; vice president (South-South/East), Giandomenico Massari; chairman organising committee, Michael Nosa Agana and the Executive Secretary of MAN in the zone, Chibuzor Eze, the reminded the state governments that they were in the coastal and littoral states and have huge stake in the blue economy that would play a vital role in AfCFTA.
The manufacturers asked governments in the region to build infrastructure, saying that producing for the African market without roads to connect to the ports or to other neighbouring countries would harm Nigeria in the emerging African trade era.
MAN said, most efforts seem to be concentrated on what to produce without factoring in the logistics needed to gain easy access to the ports and neighbouring countries, so as to fast track the goods being planned for.
MAN in the zone also wants Nigerians to realise that there is a correlation between industrialisation and good leadership and that China has proved this by taking 400 million citizens out of poverty in less than 10 years with industrialisation.
Also, in the communique, MAN demanded the establishment of a bank dedicated to financing manufacturing and related businesses at a single digit interest rate.
MAN also reminded its members about the need to explore investments and collaborations in new areas of productivity including solid minerals and agriculture to ensure steady supply of primary goods and raw materials.
“MAN points at the non-oil sector which should be intensified in the south-south, and also calls for boost to rail transportation and draws the attention of the Federal Government to the Onne Road and other roads that lead to various industries and the Onne port in Port Harcourt.
“MAN emphasises the need for governments at the state level to harmonise taxes to reduce crudity and molestation from tax officers to taxpayers especially business people. It was observed that harmonious tax systems form the backbone of industrialisation drive in any well-meaning society.”
The association urged governments to appoint its members into boards of government agencies to enhance policy formulation.
MAN charged governments to stop policy summersault to enhance investors’ confidence in the region.
The communique continued: “MAN points to tourism especially in the areas of cultural heritage, festivals, fashion, dressing, dances, packaging, holidaying, water-based games, as areas the state governments should look into to boost the economy of the region as tourists travel to wherever they see good fun.
“Governments of the South-South should reduce duplication of efforts such as sea ports and airports by each state government, but to pursue collaboration and joint ventures through Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) system.
“Governments in the region should encourage women entrepreneurs as well as provide skill training for the youths who are the future of the nation in the scheme of things.”
MAN said it looks forward to collaborating with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and other partners to pursue the establishment of Industrial Parks in the South-South.
The association resolved to engage the NCDMB on training of manpower needed in the industry and on how to accommodate the needs of manufacturers in the eight industrial parks already being established by the Board.
Also, MAN resolved to coordinate the setting up of Industrial Parks in the zone near gas pipelines owned by the NNPC Gas Marketing Limited to guarantee steady and cheap power supply to Industrial Parks to achieve viability and sustainability.
“MAN urges the state governments that are yet to set up Investment Promotion Units and One-Stop-Shop centres to do so to boost Ease of Doing Business. They also called for all states in the South-South to adopt a fast-processing system for land allocation and documentation to facilitate industrialisation through access to finance and loans which such land papers usually enhance.”