By Victor Ahiuma-Young

LAGOS— MANUFACTURERS in the country, yesterday, decried the harsh business operating environment declaring that the current business outlook in the country was frightening.

Operating on the platform of the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Employer’s Federation, CANMPEF, made up of  97 firms, the manufacturers group called on government to immediately put measures in place to encourage business before thing degenerated further..

Addressing members and other guests at the 37th Annual General Meeting, AGM of CANMPEF, its President, Mr. Devakumar V.G. Edwin, said: “In view of the difficult operating environment, our membership declined and we continued to record a fall in members during the year under review. This is a reflection of the prevailing harsh economic climates. Some manufacturing industries had close shop as a result of worsening high cost of production, occasioned by collapsing public infrastructure, inconsistent government policies and insecurity of life and property in some areas of the country. This development has also impacted negatively on our finances but more importantly, indicated the ability of our sector to generate much needed employment at this crucial time.