‘Persistent power failure drove manufacturers out of Borno, not insecurity’

Mohamed Rijiya is the president of Borno Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture. In this brief chat with ODINAKA ANUDU, he revealed that manufacturing firms moved out the state as a result of power outages, rather than insecurity.

How has heightened insecurity in Borno State affected manufacturers?

Well, manufacturers left Borno long before the insurgency. Persistent and poor power supply drove them out. Most areas in the state do not see electricity for months. Some areas experience it once in 10 days. So, they had to use diesel and petrol for their generators and could not produce and make profit. Take for instance, sachet water is still sold for N5 in Borno. It is sold for N10 in Lagos and other places. With the increasing cost of production arising from additional cost for diesel, do you think they can make profit at that selling price?

So, no manufacturer is a member of Borno Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture?

Yes, we have none. Before, we had manufacturers of confectioneries, sachet water, Coca-Cola, 7-Up, among others, but they could not stay because of the worrisome power failure. Big furniture makers have also left.

But how has the situation affected businesses in general?

Well, in terms of businesses, the insurgency affects mostly local governments. But businesses still thrive in Maiduguri. Dangote Cement brings in 100 trucks to Maiduguri daily. If someone says there is no business, why is DANGCEM coming in such a large number? Maiduguri is now a commercial city. Banks have left local governments for Maiduguri. If you visit them there, you see plenty of customers.

Our sesame and beans businesses still thrive in local governments. People buy sesame and take it outside the country. Rice, cow and beans businesses are still here.

How many are you in the chamber?

We are over 200.

Where do you hold your meetings?

We hold meetings in Maiduguri.

So, you mean Maiduguri is safe for investors?

Yes, we have people from other parts of the country and the world coming in to do businesses on a daily basis.

Why do you live in Lagos if Maiduguri is such a safe place?

Well, I live in Maiduguri too. Two of my businesses are in Borno. I had lived in this house in Lagos since 1993. As a businessman, I stay in Lagos, Maiduguri and Abuja.