The General Manager, Operations, PAN Nigeria, , Engr Augustine Ikebudu Okolo has disclosed that the investment of Dangote Group in petroleum refining, petrochemical and fertiliser plant in the Olokola free trade zone would boost activities in the manufacturing sector.
He also noted that such investment would provide opportunities for engineers to contribute their quota in revamping the economy adding that Nigeria spent $7.4bn in importation of vehicles and automotive parts last year.
Okolo stated during the opening of 2016 Engineering Week and Annual General meeting, organised by the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE ) Abuja branch with the theme, “Revamping the Nigerian Manufacturing Sector: Great Responsibility for Engineers” in Abuja.
“To achieve high level of activity in the manufacturing sector, we must have effective capacity, design capabilities, design and development capacity,” he said.
He further listed policy somersault , infrastructure and equipment decay and inadequate electricity supply as the major challenges confronting the manufacturing sector.
He said there is a need for the federal government to initiate massive development of cities and industrial clusters adding that economic development is dependent on cities and industrial clusters.
The Chairman of NSE Abuja branch, Engr Yakubu Ali Garba decried the moribund state of manufacturing industries in Nigeria stressing that there is a need to diversify the economy away from over dependence on oil.
Garba expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at Abuja airport expansion project even as he sought the introduction of maintenance culture to sustain the facilities.
