The Nation Newspaper

Tag: imported

  • PDP ‘imported’ 8, 000 militants for Edo polls —Oshiomhole

    PDP ‘imported’ 8, 000 militants for Edo polls —Oshiomhole

    Accuses opposition party of winning elections with bullets
    Governor’s allegations are baseless —PDP chair
    Wike admits supporting candidate with N2bn
    Real reasons governorship election was postponed

    GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday fired a broadside at his Delta and Rivers States counterparts for allegedly registering 8, 000 militants in  his state for the purpose of manipulating the September 28 governorship election.

    He observed that Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) were neck deep in plans to “make peaceful election impossible” when the people of Edo go to the polls to elect their next governor in two weeks time.

    “Our opponent, unable to find local thugs to help them perpetrate violence which they have done between 1999 and 2007 when I took over, resorted to liaising with my brothers in the sub-region, Delta and Rivers, in particular, to export criminals and militants into Edo State in order to make peaceful election impossible,” Oshiomhole said when he received the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris during a courtesy visit at Government House, Benin City.

    The PDP said the allegation was baseless.

    Originally scheduled for today, the election was shifted at the instance of the Department of State security and the police who said that security reports at their disposal suggested that the terror sect, Boko Haram, had perfected its plan to unleash terror on the state if the election were to proceed today.

    Oshiomhole, who also hosted a team of European observers yesterday, said the PDP has a reputation for rigging especially in the South-south. He said he first smashed the opposition’s rigging machine by eventually winning the much manipulated 2007 election. “I fought them through the legal process. Painstakingly established how I was rigged out, I got my mandate restored. It never happened before, and nobody appreciates the essence of free and fair election more than myself,” he said to the observers.

    During his meeting with the IGP, Oshiomhole said: “In line with my tradition, I have always tried to speak out on any matter that I am worried about. I first raised this alarm on the eve of INEC Continuing Voters’ Registration exercise, an exercise that has been designed to register those who have become eighteen between the last registration and the current one.

    “But these criminals who are determined to perpetrate violence and deny us the beauty of a peaceful election, unable to find local participants have chosen to import these militants with the support of two or so of my brothers. When I say brothers, I mean brother governors. It doesn’t matter if I disagree with them, they are my brothers.

    “They are exporting militants to Edo State to register so that with the PVC in their hands, they will appear to have the lawful basis to be present at the designated polling units where they are expected to unleash violence on Election Day.

    “When I raised this alarm, I should expect naturally that they are not as courageous as they seem. They denied that there was any such plan, but happily our ever vigilant, peace-loving electorate was able to apprehend some of these people from other states that came into Edo State for the purpose of this exercise.

    “At least, 13 of them were handed over to the police. The IG may wish to establish what has happened to those people who were handed over. So, we handed them over to the police in line with what we were expected to do as civilised people.

    “Having done that, we are clear that there are a lot of people, up to 8, 000 of them, who are non-resident in Edo State, who are not indigenes of Edo State, who are indigenes and residents of Delta and Rivers States and some other states in the South-south, some from Bayelsa State who have registered for the sole purpose not to swell the votes, but to be present in various locations on election day.

    “Now, as part of the processes they put in place to effect this, they had conspirators in INEC that made available to them data capturing machine in the residences of various opposition leaders. We shared these experiences with the police and the DSS.”

    The governor said that the people of Edo State are anxious to have a free and fair election “but the challenge is these people who are determined to import thuggery and violence, and they have an easier task, and we have a more difficult task to protect the electoral process.”

    However, the Edo State chapter of the PDP dismissed Oshiomhole’s allegation against Wike and Okowa as a deceit. It warned the governor to show respect to his fellow governors.

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, in a telephone chat said that the allegation was baseless and an indictment of the security agencies for 8000 persons to move into the state without detection.

    On the N2 billion allegedly donated to the PDP campaign by some state by having regards to the very hard work and huge resources deployed towards the election by all concerned.

    “On our part, we have traversed the nooks and crannies of the state in the course of our electioneering campaigns, and we have been able to effectively market our candidates and our manifesto.

    “Our members have been fully sensitized and mobilized in readiness for the election, culminating in our final campaign at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Sept. 6, which recorded the highest level of mobilization ever witnessed in that facility.”

    He added:  “Data capturing machines were found to have been given to unauthorized persons to carry out illegal registration. A case in point is that of Alhaji Nakowa, a known PDP chieftain in Etsako Central.

    “He was arrested with some unscrupulous INEC staff while engaged in illegal registration in a private residence in the middle of the night.

    “All these, with the reported threat by the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Nwike, to the effect that the APC people should go and write their will, should be a source of concern to any right thinking person.

    “You recall that the last time the same man issued the same threat in Port Harcourt, several people lost their lives including youth corps members who had been deployed to assist in the exercise in that State.

    “The postponement, therefore, provides an opportunity for security agencies to address these concerns in addition to whatever other threats they may have discovered.”

    Reacting to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to postpone the election till September 26, the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, dismissed the PDP as a party that has no credibility in the state and advocated that the postponement should not be longer than a week and “We have a big event in Edo on September 26 which is the Oba’s coronation. Before that day, there are other events that must be done. It will not be proper to hold election during that period, why not postpone the election for one week?

    “It is false claim that the APC was afraid of defeat. We defeated the PDP in 16 local government in the last election held in the state. We are ready for the election and we will win. The PDP has no credibility in this state.”

    But the state’s PDP chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, described the INEC decision as a postponement of doomsday for the APC.  He said: “For us in the PDP, they have only postponed doomsday for the APC and Adams Oshiomhole in Edo.

    “What they have failed to tell Nigerians is that they have no sellable candidate.  What is playing out is alike a drama series. Anytime they decide to conduct the election, we are waiting to defeat the APC.”

    Lending his support Orbih’s postion, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose said the postponement is bad signal and beginning of the end for democracy in Nigeria.

    “It is obvious that the All Progressives Congress (APC) feared that it can’t win the election and is ready to employ whatever crude means to subvert the wish of the people.”

    In a separate chat with our correspondent, the Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said the postponement is not healthy for the development of democracy in the country.

    “I see it as an executive interference in the work of the electoral body. It is also an indictment on the security agency. I don’t know what they need to do again but I would expect that they should take Nigerians into confidence.”

     

  • 80% imported goods under declared, says Bello

    80% imported goods under declared, says Bello

    About 80 per cent of the goods imported through the ports are under-declared, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello, has said.

    Bello, who spoke at an interactive session with re[porters in Lagos, said the country is losing billions of naira in revenue, adding that the only solution to under-disclosure of items, is the automation of the ports.

    He said the NSC is devoting about N1billion and its energyin automating the clearing of goods process, stressing that shipping business is key to the economic prosperity of the countyr and should not be treated as a child play.

    Bello said as the Port Regulator,  the  NSC, has  drafted positive reforms that would benefit all the players in shipping business, saying the measures are intended to make the ports attractive to others  and competitive with their counterparts  in the West African coast.

    He said: “Statistics have shown that the volume of Nigeria’s trade is about 180 million tons of sea borne cargo per annum. Annual freight generated by this trade is about $6.8 billion. More than 80 per cent of this is earned by foreign firms and the bulk of it is remitted out of this Country to the detriment of our economy.”

    He said other agencies, such as the Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA), Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) and the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), have already gone far in the automation of their operations across the  ports, adding that the automation process, if  fully implemented will attract more revenue, bring transparency and reduce congestion at the ports.

    The NSC chief said already talks are on by the Council, in conjunction with the Lagos State government and other stakeholders to strategise on ways and means to decongest the access roads to the ports.

    He said very soon there would be recapitalisation of the freight forwarders to have few but effective agents at the ports, assuring that the rickety trucks plying the routes would have no space in the ports as the Council is going to work with the truck owners to pick the best among them for operation.

    He said another way to make the ports attractive was to reduce the  terminal charges which is the highest among its pairs.

    The reforms by the council, Bello disclosed, are to  ensure the refund of container deposit within 10 working days, make sure shipping companies have operational holding bays, guarantee evacuation of empty containers from the seaport within 14 days, and  set up  service standard in line with international best practices ,as well as benchmark rates to discourage arbitrariness in charges.

     

  • Nigeria spends N1.32tr on imported textile yearly, says DG

    Nigeria spends over $4 billion, about N1.32 trillion, yearly on imported textile and other ready-made clothings despite having what it takes for a thriving textile industry, experts have said.

    The industry, hitherto the second largest employer after the government, has been bogged down by lack of infrastructure and smuggled textile from Asian countries, especially China.

    However, the Director-General, Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), Mr. Hamma Kwajaffa, said despite the prevailing harsh operating environment, the situation is redeemable.

    He said what is required to turn around the industry is for the government to address the key issues raised by operators in the cotton and textile value chain. This, according to him, is the only way recent initiatives unveiled by government to revive the sector will yield result.

    The NTMA boss told The Nation that the influx of smuggled textile into major markets in Kantin Kwari in Kano and Balogun and Oshodi in Lagos, not only undermines the local industry, but also denies Nigerians the opportunity of getting employed.

    Worse still, he said unbridled importation of fake and substandard textiles into the country deprives the government of revenue, while also draining the country’s precarious foreign exchange reserves.

    As Kwajaffa noted, “other countries are helping their textile industry in many ways due to its high employment potential. Ethiopia has one of the most competitive power tariffs at four US cents/Kwh, which is a fifth of the power cost in Nigeria.

    “Recently, India, which is the second largest textile producer in the world after China, announced a $1 billion incentive package for the textile and apparel industry to create 10 million jobs in three years”.

    Kwajaffa hailed the interest shown by the government in reviving the industry by the on-the-spot assessment of textile mills in Lagos by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.

    The NTMA boss, however, said about eight issues were brought to the notice of the government, and that most of the issues for which government intervention was sought are within the ambit of existing policy framework whereas some require new initiatives.

    One of the issues, which he said holds promise of reviving the sector was the re-scheduling of the Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) loan facility by the Bank of Industry (BoI) to 10+2 years. He said although, government agreed to this, a notification is still awaited for it to be effective.

    The other issue, according to Kwajaffa, is the price of gas supplied to the local industry, which is pegged to the American dollar and has not been reviewed after the drop in global oil and gas prices.

    “The current domestic tariff at $7.38 per MMSCF is three times the price of gas in the international market,” he pointed out, arguing that “there is the need to review the tariff on gas supplied to the industry in Naira, which should be affordable.”

    Kwajaffa also identified scarcity of black oil, which he said has crippled the operations of the textile mills in the north. He said there is need to ensure availability of the fuel oil to the textile mills by way of direct allocation from Kaduna and other refineries.

    Also, consistent supply of certified seeds, he added, is required to ensure adequate supply of cotton to the local textile industry. Besides, under the dual exchange rate policy being pursued, he said CBN should allocate Foreign Exchange (forex) at official rate for meeting the need for import of essential raw materials by the textile mills.

    He further said there is need for the redemption of the huge backlog of unutilised Negotiable Duty Credit Certificates (NDCC’s) in lieu of BoI loan instalment owed by the textile companies.

    Kwajaffa identified other issues raised that are agitating the minds of operators to include the need to encourage import substitution through local patronage, and check influx of smuggled goods and step up action against counterfeit textiles, which fake the Nigerian trademarks.

    He said these measures to revive the textile industry have become necessary in view of the fact that Nigeria has the potential to produce for the local market and also export to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) market of 175 million people, as well as to the developed world.

  • NAFDAC mulls review of imported food registration

    NAFDAC mulls review of imported food registration

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) may refuse  reregistration of imported food products that have spent more than five years without establishing a local production plant.

    Acting Director-General, NAFDAC, Mrs  Yetunde Oni, gave this hint to reporters after  declaring open food Nigeria Exhibition and Conference in Lagos yesterday.

    Currently, NAFDAC grants licenses  to reputable foreign  products manufactured outside Nigeria, after an application must  have been by a Nigerian representative of the foreign manufacturer. The representative of a foreign manufacturer must however have a duly executed Power of Attorney from the manufacturer, appointing and authorising him/it to act in that capacity for such products.

    Mrs  Oni noted that while Nigeria has opened doors to safe  food imports that  are register able  locally, the agency is  interested  in foreign food products manufacturers  that are ready  to establish  local plants, transfer  technology and  create  jobs for Nigerians.

    She advised representatives of foreign companies with products registered with the agency to consider establishing their plants in Nigeria.

    She reiterated that the organisation is interested in food products that are safe for consumption and urged importers of food products intended for introduction into Nigeria to ensure products are safe and meet health standard requirements.

  • ‘Locally-made tiles better than imported ones’

    ‘Locally-made tiles better than imported ones’

    Despite Nigerians’ penchant for foreign products, most locally-made products, particularly tiles, have proven to be of better quality than the foreign brands, the Chief Executive Officer, Nispo Porcelain Limited, manufacturers of floor tiles, Chief Afam Mallinson Ukatu, has said.

    While Nigerians’ preference for foreign goods is based on mindset and negative mentality, whereby foreign goods are looked at and perceived as superior to locally manufactured goods/brands, he said such mindset was gradually changing in favour of local brands because of their superior quality.

    Speaking to The Nation, in Lagos, Ukatu said Nispo has been rolling out quality, cost-effective tiles from its state-of-the-art ceramic and porcelain plant in Igbesa, Agbara industrial area of Ogun State, to meet the needs of the building and construction industry for wall and floor tiles.

    He stated that apart from its stronger quality, Nispo brand of wall and floor tiles has been riding on the strength of its very low water absorption rate and affordable price compared to other local brands to remain competitive in the market. This, he said, is despite that some importers have continued to flood the market with low quality brands.

    Ukatu, however, lamented that the unbridled importation of low quality tiles has negatively affected the patronage of local brands of superior quality. This, according him, has resulted in lower sales for manufacturers.

    Yet, the challenge of uncontrolled influx of imported tiles is not the only pain in the neck of Ukatu and other industrialists who manufacture tiles. He said inadequate support infrastructure for manufacturing, particularly steady electricity supply, has continued to rob off negatively on sales volume.

    “Forty-three per cent of our factory overhead cost is energy. Regardless of this, steady supply is not guaranteed due to the unholy activities of pipeline vandals, hence abrupt power outages and the long wait for repairs and commencement of operations,” Ukatu lamented, noting that persisthe tent devaluation of the naira has increased energy cost.

    He wondered why gas, believed to be the cheapest source of energy that supports manufacturers in Nigeria, is priced in dollar, insisting that government should subsidise gas for manufacturers.

    He said good road network and access to affordable loans should be made available to manufacturers, while government ensures stable and sustainable economic policies as well as discouraging importation of some items local manufacturers can produce.

  • Expert decries penchant for imported products

    The penchant of Nigerians to patronise imported products at the detriment of locally manufactured products fuels an insidious and relegating effect on local produce and the economy, Director, Foraminifera Market Research, Mr. Nnamdi Anakuwe, has said.

    Speaking with The Nation, Anakuwe said the importation of all kinds of commodities from simple domestic tools as toothpick and match stick to complex equipment amounts to a disservice to local manufacturers and the economy generally.

    “Even when some manufacturers manage to channel efforts and resources into making quality goods and services, the usual penchant of Nigerians for foreign made products rub off negatively on the competitiveness of locally made products,” he said.

    The expert said despite research, which found that there is no much local production for toothpick because of the attitude of Nigerians, for instance, a lot of toothpicks in the market are imported.

    “Though there are one or two companies that do local manufacturing but again the quantity and quality they produce is quite small. In fact, most toothpicks don’t come with manufacturer’s details except you buy them in cartons,” he said.

    Anakuwe pointed out that Nigerians’ preference for foreign goods could be viewed from two perspectives. The first, he said, is that the growth and development of the manufacturing sector is not enjoying a healthy level of support and encouragement from the government and banks.

    He noted that although, some investors have indicated interest in local production, existing policies are not encouraging enough to propel substantial investment in manufacturing.

    The other factor, especially in the area of manufacturing simple domestic products such as toothpick, is the unavailability of consistent farming of bamboo and wood, which are essential raw materials for toothpick processing. He noted that those who manage to produce toothpicks and matches are in stiff competition with the construction industries who are major users of bamboo.

    “The challenges are too numerous as you are in competition with those who are doing wood export, wood furniture product etc. So if you look at the raw material from wood, it’s already too difficult for someone who just wants to do a project of toothpick production.

  • ‘We did not compel govt to impose tariff on imported books’

    The Managing Director, Academy Press Plc, Mr Gbenga Ladipo, has said the firm has not compelled the Federal Government to impose tariff on imported books as being erroneously peddled around  by some publishing industry.

    Speaking at the Customer’s Forum, held at  the company’s premises, Ilupeju Lagos, Ladipo said, both the printers and the publishers are discussing with the government on way forwards.

    “I want to use this opportunity to assure our publishers that Academy Press as a printer did not compel the government to impose tariff on imported books as being erroneously believed by some sections of the publishing industry. What the publishers have asked for is the elimination of tariffs on imported materials so we can be at par with the zero duty status of imported books to allow for level playing and competitive field for the local printers as enjoyed by their foreign counterparts. The two sectors have come together and we are discussing with the government on this premises,” he said.

    He said the major problem facing the industry is getting the raw materials, adding that the firm is seriously concerned about challenges and difficulties that are facing the industry.

    His  words: “For us at Academy Press, we are concerned about the challenges and difficulties that are being experienced by partners and print buyers alike in the industry which are creating economic, financial and social instability for us and tend to threaten the survival of the business of members of this country.

    “The most problematic of our inputs are raw materials. All the material ingredients that we require to operate has for ever been faced with one challenge or the other.

    ‘’Key material such as paper completely depends  on importation. So is ink, plates, chemicals, spare and so on. In the era of huge naira devaluation, this has become big challenge on our cost of production and invariably the cost of our customers”.

    Ladipo said the problem of equipment and maintenance is also similar to this since it is equally import dependent, adding that skilled labour , especially technical, managerial are also challenging to the industry.