The Senate President, David Mark, on Monday urged the Federal Government to ban importation of all goods that Nigerians have the capacity to produce locally.

Mr. Mark made the call when he declared the first Made-in-Aba Fair open in Abuja.

Represented by Smart Adeyemi, the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Mr. Mark described Aba as “the catalyst of industrial revolution in Nigeria’’.

He said government should henceforth discourage importation of foreign goods because “Nigeria has no business importing those goods which do not measure to the quality being produced in the country’’.

He commended the people of Aba for doing the nation proud through the spirit of enterprise and innovation demonstrated in quality products and goods made available through local skills.

“We have no business importing military boots when what is produced here locally is more superior to that which is brought into the country.

“We have no reason to import ballot boxes for INEC. This locally made ballot box is actually better than the one INEC has been importing.

“Let us ban all that we can ban to ensure a quick take-off of our industrial sector. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) should not hold us down in economic slavery.

“If there is any city that deserves the presence of the Bank of Industry, it is Aba city,’’ he said.

Mr. Mark called for a transformation of the Nigeria’s industrial base by providing adequate facilities to support the efforts of indigenous producers to boost economic growth. He urged relevant agencies of government to create adequate awareness on the need for introduction of policies that would enable local initiatives to thrive.

The facilitator of the Made-in-Aba Fair, Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the fair was his constituency project meant to “bring Aba to Abuja’’.

Mr. Abaribe, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, said the fair was aimed at giving opportunity to the indigenous producers to showcase their products.

He said the reliance on imported goods at the expense of quality goods that were locally produced would not allow the nation’s economy to develop. He said that if given adequate patronage, indigenous producers would help to create employment for the youth and wealth for the country.

“This fair is to encourage made in Nigeria products, but specifically made in Aba goods.
http://premiumtimesng.com/news/149885-ban-importation-goods-nigeria-can-produce-locally-david-mark-tells-fg.html

Over reliance on foreign made products destroyed the manufacturing industry in Nigeria and as such has made most Nigerian Youths Lazy! Nigerian government and our leaders should harken to the voice of reason and see farther than they see now, These enterprising youths in Aba and other cities in Nigeria can do more with the right support and aid! Aba still remains the center of SMEs in Nigeria. They can do more than China! Sentiments apart!

yugotee: [b]Over reliance on foreign made products destroyed the manufacturing industry in Nigeria [/b]and as such has made most Nigerian Youths Lazy! Nigerian government and our leaders should harken to the voice of reason and see farther than they see now, These enterprising youths in Aba and other cities in Nigeria can do more with the right support and aid! Aba still remains the center of SMEs in Nigeria. They can do more than China! Sentiments apart!

The bold part is not entirely true. Manufacturing was destroyed in Nigeria because of so many factors and so it was cheaper to import.

But seriously are the ballot boxes imported?

Produce locally without electricity?

Anyway, Mark is talking, this is a really good idea!

All dis na story, he is only sayin dis cos he is @ a Trade fair, dis is something he shuld fight for and d good news is dat he is d senate President so everyone will listen. He is only reading a script, he has no intention to change jack s*hit. If David Mark actually finks Importation is affecting d Country why has it never been on d House floor for discussion, or why has a bill not surfaced to end importation dey rather talk about money money and contracts n how dey can rape little girls.

Do you have a truck for haulage work? FMCL NIGERIA is in need of 20 Tonnages trucks (Box body) to convey her light imported products such as: DAIPERS (Huggies), KETCHUP, MAYONAISE, BAKED BEANS (Heinz'), The SME baby food et cetera.

The job is a permanent one as we distribute from Lagos (our Head Quarters) across Nigeria to our various warehouses (Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Anambra, Rivers, Ogun, et cetera).

for details
Call: 0803-054-6462
-Pastor Cyrus Jesunifemi.

,,

ye ye! they should fix electricity first!

How can a govt ban all goods imported
The existing companies here are running away due to bad roads, epileptic power supply, no adequate resources.
Mark has said the right thing at the wrong time.
Let the govt harmonize manufacturing sector, I know they all focus on oil sector that's why other sectors are not performing well

Nigerians are chronic importers.
Importation has been deeply engrained in our psyche and it's sad.
How will a population of over 100million be effectively employed when most Nigerians just love importing and most value foreign made goods at the expense of local products?.
The sacrifices and painful decisions taken by the chinese people just 30years ago that led to their industrial explosion can never be replicated in a nation like Nigeria filled with hopelessly lazy citizens looking for the short-cut to quick wealth.

Walexz02: ye ye! they should fix electricity first!

India has power cuts just like Nigeria,yet india is a technological and industrial giant.
I give credit to the indians for rising above their challenges.