Industrialist Laments Poor Energy Supply
 12th OCT 2006

High cost of energy, epileptic electricity supply and pathetic infrastructure support have been blamed for the major obstacles to manufacturing companies in the country.

According to the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of an indigenous manufacturing concern, Hardis and Dromedas Limited, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, who listed those bottlenecks to manufacturing, the Federal Government should pay more attention than lip-service to the necessity of providing an alternative energy source to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), so as to achieve the nation's target of industrialisation and economic turn-around.

Obidigbo made his findings known in Abakaliki while unveiling his company's latest product, Combo Synthetic Soap, to Ebonyi State consumers at the Women Development Centre.

He called for immediate provision of incentives and supporting policies to make manufacturing attractive for all potential investors into the real sector of the economy including direct foreign investment, saying that government's assistance has become more compelling now than before the current regimes of reforms.

Obidigbo noted that the practice of conscious government involvement is in line with what obtains in other industrialised nations, saying the call is crucial "especially in the South-East so as to sustain indigenous manufacturing firms".

His words: "Enhanced indigenous manufacturing activities will help to stimulate the economy. Most importantly, they will mobilise and encourage indigenous individual initiative to check the ever-increasing concentration of economic power in the hands of the non-productive sectors of our economy, as presently dominated by foreign interests with local collaboration".

The chief executive of Hardis and Dromedas Limited said further that manufacturing firms play the primary role of helping to provide employment opportunities for youths, eradicate poverty, and provide opportunities for on-the-job training information technology as well as skill development and acquisition.

While announcing the plan by his company, which produces health and hygiene products to establish a factory in Abakaliki, the industrialist pleaded with the state government to ensure that the necessary enabling environment was provided for not only his company but also similar outfits to thrive.

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