The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, has again complained of some harmful Government policies and actions that directly impacts negatively on businesses.

Speaking at the 2024 MAN Reporter of the year award/Presidential Media Luncheon, in Lagos, recently President of the Association, Otunba Francis Meshioye, noted that there is no gainsaying the fact that manufacturing is pivotal to galvanizing and sustaining the economic growth and development of Nigeria.

As such he said the Government needs to come to the realization that a win for the manufacturing sector is a win for the economy and by extension a better life of the citizenry.

Meshioye, advice that Government and its agencies should deliberately abstain from taking harmful and inconsiderate policies that lack adequate inputs of key player that would be affected.

While making references, two of such instances, he recalled that in the first two months of the this year, a ban was placed on single-use plastics and Styrofoam packs by Lagos State Government and NAFDAC , in similar fashion placed a ban on sachet alcoholic beverages and pet bottles below 200ml.

The former was done outside the timeframe set by the national policy and the latter based on unfounded assumptions; both without due consideration for the economic and social impact of those unwarranted decisions.

The President warned that the negative impact of these policies on the manufacturing industries affected as well as the huge number of workers whose jobs are on the line this cannot be overemphasized.

Additionally, He also stated that it is pertinent for Government and the private sectors to work in tandem to revamp the ailing manufacturing sector, especially at this time, by exploring home grown policy initiatives that will address our peculiar challenges.

Meshioye, advised of the need to mobilize local resources and more importantly, take deliberate steps to overcome the binding constraints that confront the productive sector and that this has to be through frank conversations, effective collaboration and bold decision that radically departs from the norm.

He further noted that the nation’s economic recovery is highly dependent on the deployment of policy stimulus supported with a synthesis of domestic growth, export focused and offensive trade strategies.

This he said will promote resilience, steady growth and ensure that the sector gains meaningful traction going forward, stating, “As we move in this direction, we are confident that as our partners, you will join us in our advocacy drive to actualize a vibrant manufacturing sector. “

MAN DG, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, while on his response called on the government to proffer a lasting solution, adding that all hands must be on deck to lower the cost of production.

Speaking on why naira is experiencing massive fall, the MAN DG said, “Government should lead by example and give priority to patronage of made-in-Nigeria product in all its purchases and for all government contracts and projects.
“Government should mandatorily upscale patronage of made in Nigeria products by deliberately reducing the excessive reliance of the country on imported products.

“The three tiers of government should enforce the implementation of the Executive Order 003 in same for their ministries, departments and agencies. Government should encourage local sourcing of raw materials through comprehensive and integrated incentives to address the challenges of low productivity and imported inflation.