- Manufacturers Losing Over N20bn Annually to Poor Infrastructure – MAN
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said Nigerian manufacturers are losing over N20 billion annually to poor infrastructure facilities in the country.
While more than 10 companies have reportedly closed down as a result of poor basic amenities and neglect in the industrial zones of Amuwo Odofin and Kirikiri areas of Lagos, several are contemplating shutting down.
The association Chairman, Apapa Branch, Frank Onyebu, disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday.
According to Onyebu, the roads within the industrial estate got dilapidated over the years due to continuous neglect by the government.
The chairman further pointed out that the establishment of new container terminals within the industrial estates also contributed to the unsold inventories recorded by factories in the area.
“This situation is now threatening the continued existence of companies within the industrial areas. This is more so because the drivers of these invading articulated vehicles, who take instructions from no one, most often than not, take over every inch of the roads thereby making access to members’ factories a daily torment.”
He stressed that the traffic situation always discourages customers from coming to the area to patronize the factory, as they will need to park their vehicles along the way and trek down to factory premises.
This, he attributed to the reason many customers divert to factories with better access.
The Chairman solicited the help of the State and local governments, and other relevant agencies to address the ugly situation.
“We call on the government to, in the short term; deploy resources to manage the traffic within the industrial zones, as well as to provide palliative measures to make the roads motorable. We would also appreciate a complete rehabilitation and construction of these roads in the longer term,” he said.
He added that: “Fire Service and other emergency agencies would not be able to access factories located within the industrial zones if there is an emergency,” he said.