Manufacturers in Rivers/Bayelsa axis to show strength at AGM with exhibition

Manufacturers in Rivers and Bayelsa states want to use the 31st annual general meeting (AGM) coming up next week to demonstrate the power of local manufacture as well as debunk the notion that local manufacturers were not productive.

The group said on Monday, that their members would showcase made-in-Nigeria products with emphasis on items made in the zone, especially Port Harcourt.

The executive council of the Rivers/Bayelsa chapter of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said it was the reason they added an exhibition to the upcoming AGM to create awareness and belief in products made in the zone.

The MAN chairman, Charles Beke, onetime commissioner of commerce (in the Peter Odili administration), said at a press briefing on Monday, at the chapter’s Trans-Amadi office that his members were never involved in the racket of using imported products to deceive the government. “We do not use foreign labels to paste on our products. Rather, we are proud of being behind some of the best products around the world.”

Beke said by the last Wednesday and Thursday of October (28 and 29), over 50 manufacturers of locally made products would take the centre stage at its AGM to prove that Port Harcourt and Nigeria have come of age in manufacturing and fabrication.

MAN in the area is usually proud of Indorama/Eleme Petrochemicals Limited that produces and even exports various categories and grades of polymer and polyester for production of hundreds of grades of plastic products across Nigeria and beyond. The bags are proudly labelled ‘Made-n-Nigeria’ before export.

Beke also said disclosed that most manufacturers in the region have not benefited from the N520 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervention fund in the micro, small and medium scale enterprises sector since it was initiated by the former president.

He said: “Unfortunately, our investigation shows that many of the SMEs in the south-South and South-East regions of this country have not accessed this very important fund meant to help bring a bigger industrial base in our country.

“We are happy to announce to you that a distinguished financial analyst, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Lead Consultant at the Star Team Consult, Lagos, is the Guest Speaker. His lecture will throw substantial light about how to access the funds, the measures required to benefit from the funds.”

MAN therefore threw the door open to operators of SMEs to come and listen and gain knowledge that would help them set up or manage their small enterprises. “We have also invited the commercial banks that give out the loans to speak on the issue for the benefit of all SME operators.”

He added that preparations were concluded for the AGM at Atrium Events Centre on Stadium Road, in the Garden City.

He went on: “So far, about 50 organisations have indicated their interest to participate in this exhibition that would attract many residents of the Niger Delta Region due to the huge public awareness being created about the exhibition”.

He said the national president of MAN was to grace the occasion while the governors of Rivers and Bayelsa states had indicated interest in setting the tone for the AGM.