By Eric Ugbor
ABA—Books and Stationeries Sellers Association, Ariaria  International Market, Aba, Abia State, has decried  the rate of piracy  in the literary industry, saying it would spell doom for the nation if nothing  urgent was done to redress the situation.

Chairman of the association, Odidika Ohaekwusi, who stated this during the end of year party / launching of    evangelical equipment and  merit award of the group, said the  industry was witnessing one of its worst periods in  present times. ‘

He lamented that books  piracy  was putting  their  members out of business, stating that apart from the general effect on the nation’s economy, the development was discouraging potential writers on embarking on writing.

He also held book piracy responsible  for the educational backwardness in the country.

Ohaekwusi said piracy, coupled with  selling of books directly to schools by publishers, was responsible for  the lull in the literacy industry and pleaded that this sector of the economy  should not be allowed to die.

He called on publishers to always cooperate with book sellers in order to make the industry thrive.

A representative of Metropolitan Publishers, Lagos, Chief John Nwosu, appealed to the government to step up efforts in the fight against piracy in the country, stressing that piracy had done the country much harm.

He said books published in the country werecheap and urged those involved in the criminal act to desist.
The occasion, which was used to raise fund for the association’s musical equipment, saw the presentation of awards to over 55 persons for their outstanding performance.