The industrial data base exercise currently being carried out by the Federal Government across the 36 states of the federation is aimed at tackling the challenges facing industrial sector in the country.

A consultant to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on Industrial Matters, Mr. David Emaediong disclosed this at a seminar held for industrialists at the weekend in Akure, the Ondo State capital .

Emaediong, who sensitized industrialists on data base said the purpose of conducting the exercise was to know problems they are facing and how to tackle them for industrial growth.

He said that challenges of manufacturer, differ from one to another as well as from one state to another.

“There are some resources Ekiti state have that other states do not have. There are some resources that Ondo state have that other states do not. So what government wants to do is to identify these and see how investment and resources could be properly channeled for adequate development.

Explaining further, Emaediong observed that while an industrialist may face financial constraint, another indusrialialist’s problem may be accessing raw materials for production or electricity.

His words: “Government wants to know how to invest, and find out what is wrong with the industries. At times you might see an industry and think the major problem is finance, it might not be, it may be other psychological issues”.

Emaediong, who said that the data base was a continuous excercise urged industrialists to ensure that they get themselves enrolled so that they can benefit from the Federal government’s initiative on improving the industrial sector in the country.

The State Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialist (NASSI) Greatsheyi Akintunde said the essence of the seminar was to bring different industrialists together and help create a data base.

He also noted that the essence was to help government create an industrial policy where all challenges of industrialists would be addressed.

According to him, the exercise would offer lots of opportunities from foreign investors coming to the country to have a data to work with.

A Cassava processor Mr Kolawole Gabriel Ajiboye urged government to assist them in the area of rural road accessment saying that the road leading to his farm is not accessible.

He also mentioned electricity which he said is a major challenge as he spent much on fuel to power his generator which according to him negatively affects his production.

Also, a locust beans processor Ajoke Kolade appealed that government should empower the small scale Industrialists coming up who she said have the ability to work but had no capital to do so.

A Resource Management Consultant and Micro Business Advisor, Mr Fessy Olabode presented a paper titled “An insight into available Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Opportunities in Ondo State at the seminar.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/fg-set-to-tackle-industrial-challenges/