Goods Made In Nigeria Are Of High Standards - Minister

JOS, August 17, (THEWILL) - Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Josephine Tapgun has rated made in Nigeria goods high saying they only need patronage to compete with other foreign products imported into the country.

The Minister spoke with newsmen in Jos shortly after visiting some industries and parastatals in Jos.

She visited the Industrial Training Fund [ITF], Nasco group, Jos International Breweries and Grand Cereals Limited.

The Minister said Nigeria cannot continue to rely on oil and that the federal government is trying encourage local manufacturers in order to boost the nation’s economy.

She insisted that made-in Nigeria products are of high standards and can comfortably compete with the other imported products adding that Nigerians must learn to believe in their ability to produce better things for themselves without necessarily depending on other countries.

"All that the local industries need from Nigerians is just patronage and it is just a matter of time before the local industries would expand and then start exporting their products to other countries too."

Mrs. Tapgun said that as part of the federal government strategy to encourage Nigerian local manufacturers, the federal government is currently doing everything possible to review the issue of tariff for manufacturers.

She challenged the major players in the nation’s industries to re-focus and re-strategize to resuscitate ailing industries in the country and to stabilize production saying this would open more job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

The Minister regretted that most of the nation’s industries are still using obsolete machines which she said is seriously affecting production.

Director General of ITF Prof. Longmas Sambo Wapmuk said the ITF management has initiated a 10-years strategic plan to help industries.

According to him, the fund has trained several staff of oil companies operating in the country while same is being contemplated for Niger Delta to address the current absence of skilled Nigerians in the sector and to stem the violence in the region.

He noted that with globalization and economic liberalization most companies make huge turnover using lean human resources and it is the opinion of ITF that the Act setting up the fund be reviewed to be in line with contemporary realities.

"Ours is a pragmatic management which has galvanized the entire ITF system with a view to making the Nigerian economic landscape a robust entity with great prospects. This can be attested to by the level of internal stability and strong cohesion within the organization," the Director General said.