The recent strike called by Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over minimum wage face-off with the Federal Government has stalled the much anticipated Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)’s three-day closed-door summit with the Federal Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Others slated for the meeting include Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and EY.
Specifically, the closed-door meeting was on the instant of President Bola Tinubu to chart the way forward on the country’s manufacturing sector blueprint and bringing succor to many local and foreign manufacturers facing challenges in the country.
A high ranking official of MAN, who spoke under the con – dition of anonymity, revealed to New Telegraph that some officials of MAN in the corporate headquarters in Lagos were already at the Lagos international Airport MMA2 waiting for flights to board on Monday morning (3rd June, 2024) when a call came in through from the Presidency in Abuja informing of the closed door meeting cancelation.
The MAN official disclosed that the airport was in darkness and all entry points were shut with many people missing their flights out of Lagos to other destinations.
Specifically, he told New Telegraph that the three-day closed door manufacturers summit ought to have commenced on Tuesday morning (4th June, 2024) and closed Thursday evening (6th June 2024) at the Banquet/ Conference Hall, State House, Abuja.
According to him, the three-day summit has the theme: “Rethinking Manufacturing,” was necessitated by the state of the manufacturing sector, which has remained a major concern to the government, industrialists and Nigerians.
The MAN official said: “The three-day closed-door manufacturers summit has been canceled because of the labour unions strike. So new dates shall be communicated to us in MAN.
“You know the programme supposed to start yesterday (Tues – day) with President Bola Tinubu declaring it open after promising to be in attendance. But as most of us in MAN are already on our ways to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the programme and we were called and informed while at the Lagos international airport MMA2 waiting to board flights going to Abuja, then the Presidency informed us that it had been canceled imminently.
“You know because of the strike, no flight was moving and everywhere was blocked being first- day of the labour strike and there was no light everywhere at the airport, so how can we do it?
“Well, it can still be done, we are still going to do it; we are only waiting for the communication of new dates because the closed-door meeting preparations is not our idea, rather, it’s the Presidency’s idea and on the instance of the Presidency, National Institute of Public Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and MDAs.
“So it’s their idea to discuss how to develop the manufacturing sector, and that is all we need at this moment and locating some industries and trying to locate them is really a challenge in terms of job creation, labour creation and in terms of wealth creation.”
While speaking on the theme, MAN Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said that evidently, the theme underscored the need for practical solutions to the myriad of challenges limiting manufacturing performance through the adoption of innovative strategies that can guarantee higher productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability of the sector.
The MAN DG explained that President Bola Tinubu would be the special guest of honour at the summit, where he will preside over the opening ceremony. Similarly, Ajayi-Kadir stated that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, would also superintend the afternoon session.
He added that clearly, the presence of the Presidency underscored the commitment of the government to the revitalisation of manufacturing sector in Nigeria.
According to him, local manufacturers are expectant that the engagements would provide valu – able insights on the policy direction, expectations of the govern – ment and practical solutions to the binding constraints. He noted that the summit will feature focus group discussions between top level government officials, industry operators and experts; insightful presentations on emerging trends and best practices in manufacturing;
Exhibition of made-in-Nigeria Products; networking opportunities for collaboration and partnership building; showcasing of innovative products, technologies, and solutions in the Nigerian manufacturing sector.