By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has commissioned, a US$15 syringe and needle production plant, HMA Medical Limited in Ilorin with an installed capacity to produce 200 million syringes and 350 million needles annually.
The plant which is a wholly indigenous –owned venture with partnership with a Sino-German according to its Chairman, Board of Directors, Hon Ayodele Shittu currently provides employment for 120 people and also indirect jobs for about 600 people.
The Vice President who had earlier commissioned the International Vocational Centre, Ajase –Ipo, and officially launched the government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) MarketMoni, condemned importation of skilled manpower into the country.
He said the federal government would continue to create an enabling environment for indigenous industries and manufactures to thrive with a view to creating jobs even as he commended the floating of the plant.
In his address, the Chairman, HMA Board of Directors, Hon. Ayodele Shittu, said the company intends to expand the plant production capacity from the current 200 syringes and 350 per annum to 500 and 700 million respectively in the next three years.
‘‘We are also expanding into construction of a state of the art intravenous infusion plant, which we project to commission in the next 24 months. HMA Medical Limited will at the end of this expansion provide more than 1000 jobs to our teeming youths’’, he said
Shittu said the finished products from the plant would also be exported to ECOWAS and African Union (AU) countries, which he said would save and earn Nigeria scarce forex.
He, however, lamented the high tariffs being charged manufacturers on imported raw materials and machines into the country, advocating five percent cumulative on the importation of raw materials and 0% duty for importation of plant and machinery.
He said: ‘‘Presently we pay as high as 35 % cumulative (Duty, VAT and Levy) on some of our raw materials, whereas a paltry (5 % duty,0 % VAT,0% levy ) is paid by the traders of this device which can be manufactured locally with locally sourced raw materials and manpower
‘‘In order to protect the local manufacturers of syringes,/needles and safeguard the interest of consumers, we advocate a lower tariffs of 5 % cumulative on the importation of raw material and 0 % duty for importation of plant and machinery for companies interested in the production of this device and 20 % import duty plus % import adjustment tax making a cumulative of 70 % for importers of finished syringes and needles.”
His views were corroborated by the President, Manufacturers Association Of Nigeria Dr. Frank Jacob who also called for improved power and infrastructural facilities in the country.
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