IGBOZURUOKE FORUM

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, said that not less than 75 manufacturing firms from about 150 on its membership list in the South East had shut down in the last five years.

Mr Azubuike Okafor, chairman of MAN in-charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu, said this at the first Anambra Government-Development Partners summit in Awka on Tuesday.

Okafor attributed the shutdowns to harsh operating environment faced by members in the zone.

He said poor infrastructure, including bad access roads, was negatively affecting cost of production that the firms were no longer sustainable.

“Five years ago, we had about 150 manufacturing firms on our membership list in the zone and now about 75 of them have closed down; that represents 50 per cent of members.

“We do not have the enabling infrastructure, power and roads to operate; the cost of moving materials from Lagos to Anambra is almost the same as the cost of importing the material from China into Nigeria.

“Though we have a business-friendly governor in Anambra, there is need to help the private sector to grow,” he said.

Mrs Adejoke Adefulire, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, said there were infrastructure gaps in the country.

Adeufulire said the federal government was working hard to ensure that gaps were bridged to evolve a friendly and sustainable business environment.

Mr Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to Anambra Government, urged the federal government to revitalise and activate the moribund power project in the state.

Chukwulobelu said if made functional, the power infrastructure need of the industrial cities in Anambra would have been greatly addressed.

On his part, Mr Mark Okoye, Anambra Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, said the state government was working towards incorporating ministries and agencies in the state to ensure that SDGs were achieved.

He said the state was conducting a baseline study and generating community charter to ensure that budget was tailored along the priorities and direct demands of the beneficiaries.

Okoye said the budget defence process would be expanded to accommodate the youth, women, organised private sector and the civil society, to ensure greater participation and better implementation.

NAN