A cement company official, Mrs Ese Christopher, has recommended the exploitation of local inputs by manufacturers to boost their export competitiveness.
Christopher, an expert in the utilisation of indigenous inputs in productive activities, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that the manufacturers needed to commit to the use of local contents to curtail dependence on imported inputs.
“Nigeria’s manufacturing sector must direct the combined efforts of its large manufacturers and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in turning our natural resources into semi-manufactured and finished products.
“In strengthening MSMEs, the government should encourage and adequately fund technological institutions to apply science and technology toward generating innovations.
“There is a need to strengthen MSMEs by addressing their challenges and other policy issues toward improving the performance of the sector, especially now that the price of oil is experiencing a free fall,’’ she said.
Christopher said that the country could become competitive in the global economy and market when those leading the production value chain resorted to natural resources.
She said that looking away from imports and focusing on improving and leveraging on the available raw materials would make the production of goods cost-effective.
“When manufacturers use local inputs, it will cut some costs involved in importation such as customs duties and other expenses in the cost of production.
“Apart from this, the manufacturer will produce taking cognisance of the needs of the people in the operating environment.
“However, I believe that manufacturers can achieve better if they form clusters of different commodity groups by identifying strategic regions with the right human, natural and institutional resources,’’ she said.
She also said that technological empowerment was needed to instigate the formation of such clusters based on available raw materials in the various parts of the country.
Christopher expressed optimism that the country could still attain a desirable level of industrial productivity to create wealth and usher in national prosperity by looking inward. (NAN)