To prevent the food and beverage industry from collapsing, the federal government should invest in strengthening local resources and diversifying energy sources, according to Qassim Elhusseini, the managing director of Nestle Nigeria Plc.
At the 15th national delegates conference of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB) in Asaba on Friday, Mr. Elhusseini, who delivered a virtual keynote speech, offered guidance.
“Rescuing the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Industry from Danger of Collapse” was the conference’s theme.
The guest speaker asserted that if the government could improve liquidity, fortify the Naira, and construct robust, long-lasting infrastructure, the industry would flourish.
He claimed that the industry was dealing with a number of issues, such as rising levies and the price of raw materials.
Certain organizations have been forced to leave Nigeria in the past five years.
Analysis reveals that a large number of businesses have folded as a result of a decline in product demand.
There have been fewer shopping excursions and product changes as a result of the increased cost of commodities.
“All of these are having an impact on the industry’s stability,” he stated.
In order to help stabilize the industry, he continued, the government might also postpone the introduction of all levies, endorse tax committee recommendations, and guarantee that taxes are uniform throughout the nation.
The federal ministry of labor and employment’s permanent secretary, Ismaila Abubakar, advised industry participants to evaluate their previous actions and set new goals for the future.
Stakeholders, in his opinion, have a significant impact on how firms are shaped since they have an impact on operational procedures, strategic choices, corporate governance, and revenue production.
The permanent secretary issued a warning on the election of new executives, stating that only members who are still actively serving in the union should run for positions in the organization.
“It is unusual for a member with less than three years to run for a four-year position,” he stated.
Additionally, Matthew Izediuno, a deputy comptroller of immigration for Delta, discussed the efforts of the agency to guarantee that companies in the food and beverage sector would not misuse the expatriate quota.
“We cannot approve an expatriate to be employed for a job that a Nigerian can do,” stated Mr. Izediuno.
“If we get approval, it’s because the foreign national is coming for a set amount of time so that citizens can work under them.
We also object to situations in which foreign workers are hired by corporations for a position, and upon their arrival, it is discovered that the foreign worker is performing a different duty,” the speaker stated.
The deputy comptroller expressed disapproval of the practice of hiring foreign nationals to fill jobs that Americans are capable of doing well.
(NAN)
