Economy

THE Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers on Friday called on the Federal Government to revive the moribund industries in the country for job creation and national development.

Mr Saidu Mohammed, the National President of the Society, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen at the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers 52nd Annual Conference/Exhibition and Annual General Meeting in Ilorin.

The conference is themed: “Rejuvenation of the Nigerian Industrial Sector: Chemical Engineering Perspective”.

Mohammed observed that the increase in number of moribund industries across the country can be traced to lack of raw materials, epileptic power supply, cost of production and insecurity, among other factors.

He suggested the need for collective professionals involvement to tackle the problem.

According to him, the government must find lasting solutions to the insurmountable power supply issue in the country.

“We have looked at it to the days we have Bacita sugar company, Jebba paper-mill. Why are all those industries in Kwara and in the entire nation like Kaduna and Kano textile factories down,?” he questioned.

“The Nigeria Society of Engineers came together with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to set up committee to research into the issues of the industries,” he said.

Mohammed lamented that cost of production that comes with epileptic power supply, are impacting the country, together with the growing insecurity problems.

Prof. Elijah Taiwo, the Chairman of Oyo/Osun/Kwara Chapter of the society, underscored the need to resuscitate the power sector in the country, adding that this will create enabling environment for industries to spring up and for entrepreneurs to invest.

In his submission, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, the immediate past Vice Chancellor, University of lorin, stated that the meeting was expected to look into economic standing of the nation, improve on it through chemical rejuvenation.

Abdulkareem said the issue of power supply should be looked at by the leadership of the nation as smaller nations to Nigeria could sustain energy supply which is very paramount to their nation.

On her part, Prof. Omodele Eleta of the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, however observed that the effect of Russia and Ukarian war is felt in Nigeria and across the world.

She explained that the war has affected the world, especially the economy, energy sector, oil and gas, among others. (NAN)

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