The federal government has assured the citizenry of strengthening institutions as well as putting in place frameworks capable of promoting the production and consumption of made-in-Nigeria goods.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave the assurance midweek while commissioning the first African Quality Assurance Centre(AQAC),a project of AFREXIMBANK in conjunction with Bureau Veritas located on the Sagamu axis of the Lagos/Ibadan expressway.
Represented by the Minister of Industry,Trade and Investments, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Mr President gave kudos to AFREXIMBANK for over the years contributing to the promotion of trade and investment on the African continent,noting that the quality assurance centre is a key project which will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the government at the centre in enhancing quality production and export development.
Speaking on the occasion,the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who said his administration would continue to partner stakeholders towards realising the dream of improving the socio-economic status of the state ,explained that the opening of the African Quality Assurance Centre is a significant indication of the commitment of AFREXIMbank to the diversification of the nation’s economy from the over-reliance on crude oil.
Governor Abiodun also described the citing of the Centre in Ogun state as an added advantage that would help in promoting the developmental agenda of the state government,saying it would equally complement the state agro cargo airport project in the exportation of agricultural produce from the state to the rest of the world.
Prince Abiodun assured that government would continue to provide the conducive environment, including free investment, promotion advice ,and trainings to value chain actors.
In a remark, the AFREXIMBANK President, Professor Benedict Orumah identified failure to meet quality standards as a major barrier to Africa’s competitiveness in the international market
While seeing the need to urgently put an end to the rejection of African products in the global market due to poor quality, Professor Oramah explained that promoting industrialisation and wholesome trade in Africa and Nigeria in particular informed the creation of the AQAC by AFREXIMBANK.
He expressed optimism that the location of the quality assurance centre in Ogun State will primarily boost agricultural and industrial revolution in the gateway state,just as he lauded governor Dapo Abiodun for throwing his weight behind the much important project.
In a welcome address, the Director of Export Development, Mrs Oluranti Doherty explained that the centre will engage in inspection, testing,certifcation of food and agricultural products as well as training of farmers and entrepreneurs on quality control.
