By Toyin Akinosho

I

FRONT PAGE ASAP

The writer should just gerraout!!

Last year, when the dollar price spiked, I opted to construct locally a machine I would typically import.
I got a machine fabricator who constructed a whole lot other machines. He had an array of machines he had constructed and had a long list of customers. He was proud of his work.

I told him the machine I needed required some in depth technical understanding. I queried his understanding of DELTA T in the determination of heating points and he was lost. I knew I’d have a problem, but I went ahead. I promised to pay 30% higher if he does a good job. He was confident he would. I gave him videos and gave him good suggestions on how to ensure it pans out well.

To cut the long story short. He constructed rubbish that cost me millions. Never worked properly. Used it 2 times. It’s a relic.

I bought a new machine from China. Told the engineers what I wanted via email. They sent me a drawing for confirmation. In 2 weeks, they sent me a test video. Shipped in the machine afterwards. It has served me for over 1 year. Not a single issue.


Government can do local content. Private sector is not compelled to.