Manufacturers Call for Public Debate on AfCFTA Report

• Manufacturers Call for Public Debate on AfCFTA Report

Manufacturers have said there is a need for all stakeholders to discuss publicly the report of the Presidential Committee for Impact and Readiness Assessment of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement before it is adopted.

Following calls by stakeholders in the manufacturing sector and the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, warning Nigeria to be careful about signing a trade pact that might turn it into a dumping ground for foreign goods, the government inaugurated the committee last year.

The committee was tasked with the duty of assessing the risks associated with the signing of the trade pact.

President Muhammadu Buhari had asked the committee to address issues raised by the nationwide sensitisation committee set up to advise the government on whether Nigeria should sign the AfCFTA or not.

The committee is said to have completed its work after the timeframe set for it, but manufacturers want its report in the open for public discussion.

The President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ahmed Mansur, stressed this much in a recent interview with our correspondent.

He said, “What we are saying now is that the report of that committee ought to be widely discussed and all stakeholders must be aware of what the costs and benefits are. All stakeholders need to see what the opportunities are and what the government will do to mitigate some of the adjustments.”