By FRANKLIN ALLI
MANUFACTURING companies in Lagos State have requested Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to use the forthcoming National Sports Festival to stimulate the patronage of Made- in- Nigeria products.

“Now that the State is preparing to host the next National Sports Festival, it would be nice if the State Governor put in place a strategic policy framework to compel public and private contractors to use quality locally made products for the projects,” said Chairman, MAN Ikeja Branch, Rev. Isaac Ade Agoye.

Adegoye, who bore the minds of the manufacturers during their 44thannual general meeting, believes that instead of bringing items for the sports festival from abroad, patronage of local manufacturers will give them the much needed support to thrive and live up to their billing as catalyst for employment generation and wealth creation.

According to him, manufacturers also want the State Governor to set aside one special day for interaction with the operators in the manufacturing sector in the State.

“We also want the Governor to repair and construct roads within the industrial locations in the state, especially the Ikorodu axis, publish the State policy on industrialisation, investment opportunities and available incentives for budding entrepreneurs,” he said.

The State Government, he stressed, should also regulate the activities of all government agencies in a manner that will eliminate multiple visits to factories, duplication of duties and multiple charges.

“Daunting as these requests might seem, they remain firmly in the realms of possibilities to engender a virile manufacturing sector which is the most viable route to poverty eradication, employment generation, wealth creation and national development.

In order to fully benefit from a favourable economic atmosphere, we have to re-appraise our business and production processes and upgrade the standard and quality of our products. In essence, we have to aspire to be world class in every ramification in order to compete in the global market and remain profitable.” he said.