By Nna Anulumadu
Rev. Fr John Manafa, a Catholic priest of Onitsha Archdiocese and industrialist, has called on state and federal governments to reduce tax rates and stabilize power supply to support local manufacturers amidst Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“Local manufacturers face numerous challenges, including unfavorable tax rates, high production costs, and an unfriendly business environment,” Fr. Manafa said. “We encounter sabotage, unfulfilled promises, and hostility, making it difficult to operate.”
“So if there’s any way the government can help us expecially in the area of stabilizing power, it will manufacturers greatly. Think of how much we buy diesel now , it’s something else, but we have started and there’s no going back .I will keep pushing with hope that one day things will be better .
In essence , government should help us with basic amenities to enhance the manufacturers. First is to stablize power at affordable rate. Then the taxes ; it is good to pay taxes and I supported it. The issue is that if the taxes are been used properly, I don’t have any problem with it, but they should look towards that as well. The tauts are everywhere in Anambra state precisely, extorting from people and these money we spent will translate in the cost of the production.
High cost of raw materials, explains why most products lose it originality because manufacturers may sincerely want to produce something with good quality, but they can’t meet up with the cost of raw materials. But above all the passion is there, so we have to continue.
Not all manufacturers are rich but they have started and can’t stop .
I’m producing water and all the machines I have are all using power , so how do I cope? The machines I’m using I pay taxes for all of them.
I produce bottle water “Manif water”, it is NAFDAC approved and SUN approved. We are struggling to make it out there . My water is okay. I’m proud to say that you can take it to anywhere and it will pass the test . I produce Manif sachet water as well, Manif bitters, manif cream ( a drink rich in flavour) and I’m proud to tell you that I’m the first person that is manufacturing this cream locally. Others are importing it , but we manage to be doing it locally with high quality materials .
We have other projects coming up . I’m going into custard , biscuits, whiskey and dry gin. Very soon, the new products will penetrate the markets.”
“Manufacturers are not rich, but we’re driven by passion,” Fr. Manafa said. “We need government support to thrive”.
Despite these challenges, Fr. Manafa remains committed to industrialization. He employs over 30 workers and produces NAFDAC and SUN-approved products.
