Emma Elekwa
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) South East has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prioritize affordable renewable energy, shared industrial infrastructure and long-term finance as foundation for the Southeast 2050 Vision for shared prosperity.
Chairman and group Executive Director, Dozzy Group of companies Lady Ada Chukwudozie made the call during South East Vision 2050 (SEV2050) Regional Stakeholder Forum recently held in Enugu State.
She commended the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC), Regional Development Authority and the State Governments of the southeastern regions.
Chukwudozie described the Region as one of the most entrepreneurial regions in Africa blessed with innovations and creativity.
“It is timely, strategic and necessary at this point to note that the Southeast Regions is one of the most entrepreneurial regions in Africa blessed with innovations and creativity that can pilot the affairs of the southeast people and the nation,” she noted.
Challenging business climate
According to Chukwudozie, manufacturers in the East are among those who employ, produce, invest and export under some of the challenging and toughest conditions in Nigeria.
“The truth should be told that our region is constrained in terms of its industrial potential by infrastructure gaps, weak logistics, limited access to long-term finance and fragmented regional coordination.
“At the same time, the southeast has the highest concentration of indigenous manufacturers, SMEs Network and strong Diasporan investors ready to invest if the right structures are put in place.
“Manufacturing is not trading but long-term, which is capital intensive and requires huge capital. It’s also access based and productivity driven.
“If Nigeria is to be industrialised then southeast must be industrialised.
“This southeast vision 2050 truly presents an opportunity to build a productive economy, one that is anchored on industrial parks, SMes clusters, agro processing corridors, and skilled workforce while anchoring on a regional energy backbone.
“Our clear task is simple prioritize affordable renewal energy, prioritize shared industrial infrastructure and prioritize patience long-term finance as the foundation for this vision.
Ready for partnership
“As manufacturers, we are ready to partner with the government, we are ready to invest, we are ready to create jobs, and we are ready to build export-oriented industries.
“But the industries, it needs systems, power, logistics, skills, finance and quality stability that will enable to produce at a reduced cost in order to fight high competitiveness from other regions and climes.
“We look forward to a vision 2050 framework that is not just aspirational but one that is executable, one that is bankable, one that is investable, and one that is sustainable.
“One that can translate enterprise energy to industrial power and shared prosperity.
“The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Southeast is fully committed to this struggle.”
