A council member of the
How will you describe the envelope manufacturing business in
Our major problem is paper. Yes, we have papers mills in
I know you will ask me what relation does paper institute have with raw materials? The paper institute will conduct researches that will enable paper mills to produce good quality papers that are needed for production of envelopes. Paper research institute will test whatever they (paper mills) have done, which investors will want to buy if there is this research institute and with good policy formulation to guide the industry. Because nobody can do everything. Somebody has to do cropping; somebody has to do foresting liking planting of the threes. So, that value chain is missing. But if the policy is there to guide the industry, which we are doing now, and we will still make our recommendation to the government as an association. We will do our presentation and pass it through the appropriate quarters and we pray that government listens to us. To be honest, the government is trying. We cannot condemn them totally. However, I think what government should do is that all the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that are causing hiccups in the ease of doing business should be cautioned. There should be a section in the government circle that should be assigned to monitor and discipline the MDAs, so that when these MDAs are misbehaving, we should report them and expect a response within 24 hours because we want to avert losses.
There has been this issue of low patronage of local products by the MDAs and as a response the President issued two Executive Orders to that effect. Has there been any positive response from these MDAs?
Your guess is as good as mine. You, too, can answer that question. They said buy
From what you have just said, don't you think that the government is not taking the issue serious?
To be honest, I don't think it is necessary to criticise the government. It might look as if I am taking side with the government. The government is trying. But what I feel is that government should do additionally is to do the audit. Let them audit them to make sure that at least, 70 per cent of their purchases are made-in-
Is MAN not advocating any sanction to compel them to do the right thing?
Well, there might be sanctions, but I think before that, let the government experiment the audit option first. If they know that their level of patronage of locally made goods will be published they will do the right thing. For example, two years back, I would go and pay this bill (demurrage not due to my fault), and I will just swallow it, but, now, I am not swallowing it again. Everybody should be responsible for what they have done. Everybody should be responsible.
What is your expectation from the Nigerian economy?
I think it will be better if all these things are put in place; because
What will you say about the border closure you just mentioned, do you think it is good for
I do not really want to comment a lot on border closure, because the government knows what they have seen and why they have chosen to close the borders. Locally, I understand that the rice mills are doing fantastically well. So, what the government is saying is that we don't need rice importation.
You talked about expansion; are you saying that you want to go to the
We would not mind going there because AFCFTA is the best thing that has happened to
But must the government do everything for you? Don't you think on your part, you should do something to reduce cost and make your business more competitive?
In an industry that is just over half a century old, we have more than 40 years' experience, way more than any of our competitor. We combine basic local knowledge and international expertise to produce a product that is second to none. Our first class equipment ensures that we are able to produce to the specification of our customers and satisfy our ever growing client base. We earned this right because of the quality, the type of paper we use, and how we serve our clients as a trusted ally and concerned friend. We provide them with the rare loyalty of a business partner and make sure they get what they need timely and also helping them secure more clients to make more money.
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