An industrialist, Mr Paul Okpue, has called on the Federal Government to ban the importation of toothpick to encourage local production of the product.
Okpue, the Chairman of Panicenduweli Nigeria Limited, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the ban would make prospective industrialists to venture into the manufacturing of the product.
NAN reports that Panicenduweli is the only indigenous company in the country that produces bamboo toothpick, and bamboo flooring.
But Okpue expressed concern over the flooding of the country with imported toothpicks.
He said that the development had the potential of impeding efforts to establish more of the factory in the country.
The industrialist said, “Nigeria is being flooded with cheap toothpick products from Asia and creating employment for them and also creating poverty for ourselves.
“Efforts to expand production has remained a Herculean task for our industry.
“One of the worst things that have happened to this country was when the former Minister of Finance lifted the ban on the importation of toothpicks.
“We are pleading with the government to ban importation of toothpicks so that we can revive our production. We want Nigeria to also equally export bamboo related products.
“We are doing research and development and we have tried to collaborate with so many companies and so many research institutes in Nigeria but the results have not been very fruitful.”
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Posted: at 3-11-2011 07:58 AM (13 years ago) | Addicted Hero
ZION7ZION at 3-11-2011 11:46 AM (13 years ago) (m)
Quote from: Alphamale on 3-11-2011 10:56 AM
He wants the ban on importation of toothpick so that the price will sky rocket by 400% and he can fleece the Nigerian people.
Competition is the beauty of every market. You can drive the importers away if your toothpicks are relatively cheaper and of good quality.
This was the kind of advise that made cement affordable to Nigerians. Selfish people!!!
Bros i totally agree with, the person that want FG to Ban importation of toothPick should bring His or hers and compare it with the quality of the imported ones, if you want to Ban some goods there must be an alternative to it, not just an alternative, but quality alternative.
Posted: at 3-11-2011 11:46 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac
fredie200 at 3-11-2011 12:20 PM (13 years ago) (m)
Damn,i don't know why,a comon toothpick should be imported in the first place,imagine a tropical country like nigeria,that's all the natural resurces for the manifacture of such product,if the government is not thinking sirously on ban of importation toothpick,then he has no vission on creation of jobs in the country..
Posted: at 3-11-2011 12:20 PM (13 years ago) | Upcoming