‘Tackle challenges facing manufacturing sector for industrial growth

To increase local content and boost manufacturing in the country, the Federal Government has been advised to tackle challenges facing the sector especially in the areas of transport and access to raw materials.

Technical Secretary, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Apapa Branch, Tunde Awode, made the appeal during an industrial visit by the branch to GZ industries Limited in Agbara, Ogun State recently.

According to him, although many companies are doing well in the country, they would perform better if government look into the issue of bad roads, access to raw materials and provide and enabling environment for industries to thrive.

Awode commended the company for qualitative production process and placing premium on safety and clean environment.

He informed the management that to maintain high production standard, technical personnel must duly register with NSE and be COREN certified.

Responding, GZ Industries Human Resources Manager, Ayoola Kadir, assured that his company has accomplish in promoting standard and employing competent hands.

Kadir who said the company was the first in West Africa to produce aluminum beverages cans stated that their presence has drastically reduce the importation of cans into the country and thereby reduce cost of transportation and promote a friendly environment.

He however, noted that despite doing well in local content, sourcing for raw materials especially aluminum foils remain a major challenge to their operation.

Kadir therefore urged the Federal Government to focus more on the manufacturing sector to ensure the country rely les on importation and boost local content.