A Nigerian, but UK based technology consultant, Dr Jamiu Yusuf in an interview with EMEKA NZE, says the federal government needs to encourage indigenous manufacturers in order to transform the economy already in battered state.
The three notable policy trusts of this present administration are fighting corruption, insecurity and repositioning the economy. To what extent has the federal government tackled these, especially the economy?
This is a question that has always come to me each time I face the press on issues concerning Nigeria. I am always delighted to put one or two words concerning this because any country without a stable economy is bound to fail. She would wobble and feels insecure and for this reason, every responsible government would always strive to ensure that her economy is at least near to stability. In Nigeria, this is almost difficult. The dwindling nature of the economy calls for concern because I remember with nostalgia when our local product attracts huge foreign exchange and our currency equalled the dollar and pound.
What do you think is the cause of this problem that has negated development?
The matter didn’t just start today. Mark this, a lot of factors engineered it. It gradually grew to the point whereby austerity measures came and economic recession equally came along. And to get out of these economic quagmires, a lot needs to be done to tackle the issues. For instance, unemployment, inflation, corruption, insecurity that are sliding us backward need to be addressed squarely. To answer your question, I think the cause or causes of this ugly development are in colouration of the factors I mentioned which are orchestrated by bad leadership or governance. The sincerity of purpose of our leaders left much to be desired. The corruption tendencies are quick to provocation, hence, the citizens has lost hope and decided in a manner that suggests government activities is in the hands of ‘no animal-owner’ syndrome. To this extent, the economic system we inherited from the colonial masters scattered with attendant corruption, indiscipline and impunity.
How do you assess the government intervention in ensuring that manufacturers in the country produce optimally?
If the manufacturing sector is provided with a better operating environment, it can provide jobs to millions of people because it is the only sector that can provide three shifts a day and this would trigger the economy. It would make the employers to work 24 hours because currently, the nation’s economy goes to sleep at 6pm daily while in other developed or even developing nations, they work for 24 hours. Besides, there is need to reduce the cost of moving raw materials and goods from one destination to another either through the port, air or rail system. Today’s economy tends have changed and the global markets have also become even more competitive, forcing many companies to shut down their production lines or downsize in order to meet their bottom line. For instance, currently energy cost accounts for 40 percent of production in the manufacturing sector, hence the need to create other ways to reduce further cost of production. That is why we are providing ‘lean’ manufacturing workshop.No doubt, we appreciate the efforts of the present government through the current minister of industry, trade and investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo for making efforts to create environment, policies and programmes aimed at repositioning the economy. However, more needs to be done.
Is it only the government that would be responsible for reshaping the country’s economy?
No! Emphatically no! It is not. By the way, what is government? Who is the government? We are the government. Except that few of us are entrusted with the management of the country’s resources. Unfortunately, those being entrusted with this task have grown horn abysmally and have refused to make adequate utilisation of the resources. And here we are, battling on how to reposition, reinvigorate the economy.
Did you said it is not only government that can assist in situating the economy?
Yes, I said so. This is why as a consultant and an expert in technological development, I have continually addressed that whoever has a good vision or innovation about how the country would be repositioned should come up with it. Hence, my firm is embarking on capacity building empowerment programmme with the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) to carry out a 3-day activities slated to hold in Abuja within this February, 2020.
What is the conference/workshop all about?
Thank you. It is all about our mission to help manufacturing companies with their lean manufacturing system/journey to find new ways of continuous manufacturing improvement especially when traditional ways of production are not just enough. We are bringing into Nigeria the best hands in manufacturing system from the US, Canada and UK to come and share their expertise to Nigeria’s manufacturers.
What do you mean by ‘lean’ manufacturing system?
‘Lean’ manufacturing system is founded on the Toyota production module. It is a management philosophy which shortens the time between customer order and the product delivery by eliminating all inefficiencies (source of waste). This is ultimately reflected in terms of quality delivery, cost and greater team morale, making a company capable to overcome bigger challenges among their competitors. Indeed, ‘lean’ manufacturing technique is improve quality production in manufacturing sector. For instance, SIDEL is a manufacturing company providing packing equipment for liquid beverages. The company uses ‘lean’ manufacturing system at all its production sites, which benefit beverage producers world-wide. Lead time and wastes are reduced while overall quality is improved and resulted in $3.8 million incremental sales and 80% increase in profit in just the first two months. It is mindset for Sidel.
Could you tell us more about the planned workshop?
In today’s competitive global economy, coupled with the demands and challenges being faced by the manufacturing industries, the workshop would no doubt address issues concerning maintenance of high productivity and efficiency, quality delivery of products and at the same time reduces or minimises waste during production. The 3-day workshop would address this, more especially in helping manufacturing companies to learn on how to navigate through difficult times by showing them how to create a seamless flow of people, material and information.
Is the workshop meant for everybody? In fact, who are the target audience?
The conference targets desirous manufacturers such as CEOs, top management production personnel, operational personnel, engineering personnel, administrative personnel, general managers and company supervisors in supply chain including accounting personnel.You can see why I said that to build economy, it should not be left only on the hands of the government alone. Individuals can in one way or the other contribute their own quota. Although the federal government needs to encourage indigenous manufacturers so as to input maximum benefits required.
