No development without manufacturing — RMRDC
MARCH 11, 2013
Azikiwe Onwualu
Nigeria may not advance in development if it fails to improve its manufacturing sector, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, has said.
Manufacturing, according to the council, is the bedrock of development of any nation, stressing that Nigeria will naturally develop when the sector is given the right attention by the Federal Government.
The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, RMRDC, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, said this during a recent interview with our correspondent at the council’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said studies had shown that all over the world, no country achieved development unless it its manufacturing sector succeeded.
He said, “Look at the United States, Canada, China, Singapore, India and a few others, they may not be producing everything they need, but you will find two or three products they are very good in manufacturing.
“But if you come to Nigeria, it appears that it is only in the beverage sector that we have factories that are functioning; mostly beer, soft drinks and so on.
“This country is blessed with a lot of minerals, but we have near absence of industries for adding value to these raw materials. I believe that if we improve our manufacturing sector, Nigeria will naturally develop.”
He said the manufacturing sector could be developed by harnessing the products of science and technology and applying them in industrial production.
Onwualu added that travelling through Nigerian villages, one would see series of production going on.
Some of the production processes, according to him, include people who spread cassava along the road for it to dry; those processing palm oil with bare hands using fire wood; individuals who process textiles without technological equipment; as well as citizens who cut granite and gravel using hammers.
“The point I’m making is that Nigerians want to work but they don’t have access to technology; for that’s what makes all the difference. And there is no way you can succeed in production and manufacturing unless you have access to technology.
“That is why developed countries stress the importance and availability of technology and in such countries, banks find it easy to give loans to people to buy machines. This is because they know that when you buy a good machine, you can produce, and once you produce, you sell, make money and pay back,” he said.
The RMRDC boss stated that unfortunately in Nigeria, science, technology and research were being relegated to the background.
According to him, when people hear about research in Nigeria, they see it as where professors and PHD holders speak scientific vocabulary without considering the common man.
“But the truth of the matter is that this is bedrock of manufacturing and manufacturing is the bedrock of development,” Onwualu said.
He added, “If you are talking about water for all, how do you make this possible? It is through technology. You have to find machines for processing, cleaning and packaging the water. If you don’t have that, you are not going anywhere, and our people will continue to drink water from the stream; which shouldn’t be. The same example applies to every sector in our economy.”
Speaking on how the council is trying to promote indigenous manufacturing, he said RMRDC had commenced the setting up of processing clusters across the states.
Onwualu stated that the initiative was to encourage the establishment of clusters of processors of raw materials in different parts of the country, adding that the council had recently kick-started the programme in Bayelsa State as the machines for the process were ready.
He said, “The machines will include the ones for processing, drying, smoking and packaging fish. And then another machine will be used for cassava processing and another for plantain processing into flower and chips.
“What we mean by clusters is that we will put in these machines in a locality and train people around there to come and use the machines. It also includes an oil palm processor. In other words, if you now install a palm oil processing plant, those who are interested will harvest their palm fruits or buy, if necessary, and come to the centre to process and pay a little fee.”
The DG said interested individuals were not going to own the machine because they may not have all the money.
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