By Giwa SHILE
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah has reiterated commitment of the present administration toward implementation of the country’s Industrial Revolution Plan.
The minister gave the assurance at the 2018 African Industrialisation and Nigeria Quality Award Day in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event was organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The theme of this year’s celebration was “Promoting Regional Value Chains in Africa: A pathway for Accelerating Africa’s Structural Transformation, Industrialisation and Pharmaceutical Production’’.
He said the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) was a deliberate policy of President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration to industrialise the country.
The minister said the focus on agriculture and food security as well as infrastructure and power by the present government was geared toward boosting industrialisation.
According to him, an Industrial Advisory Council has been inaugurated to work to enhance several initiatives of the government like markets, skills acquisitions and trades, among others.
Enelamah said that the theme of this year’s celebration was in line with the country’s industrialisation plan and urged relevant stakeholders to collaborate with the government in achieving the plan as government could not do it alone.
The minister said that the government was also working to ensure standard in goods produced in the country.
He noted that the need for partnership was key, adding that his ministry was committed and would continue to build on that, both national and internationally to achieve industrialisation.
“Nigeria’s industrialisation process is paramount because the country plays important role on the continent,’’ Enelamah said.
The minister, however, said that Intra-Africa trade still faced some challenges as a lot of countries on the continent still deal with primary commodities.
In his remarks, the UNIDO’s Regional Director in Nigeria, Mr Jean Bakole, said the occasion was meant to reflect, share and discuss on ways to ensure realisation of industrialisation in Africa.
Bakole pledged UNIDO’s willingness to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure industrialisation was realised and become a mainstay.
He said that Nigeria was important because it was the leader of economy in Africa.
Bakole said that the event was also to recognise and appreciate the people, companies and public organisations that had raised standard of goods and services.
The Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Raw Materials and Development Council and Meyer Paint PLC were given awards for quality.
Other recipients were Otukpo Shoes and Ancillary Manufacturers Ltd, NACCIMA Ventures and Certification Ltd, Redeemers University, National Productivity Centre and Orfema Pharmaceutical Industry Ltd among others.
