Upgrade standards of locally produced products —NUFBTE tasks FG

THE National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) has called on the Federal Government to upgrade the standards of locally produced products.

This, according to the union is to discourage Nigerians insatiable taste for foreign products, and promote made in Nigerian goods to enable the growth of the industry and the economy.

This amongst others are parts of the resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) of NUFBTE at the end of its meeting held in Lagos.

The union in the resolution jointly signed by the President, Lateef Oyelekan and the General Secretary, Bamidele Busari said the Federal Government must prevail upon bodies saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and controlling standards in the country to ensure this.

Specifically, the union said the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC and others monitoring agencies should gear up towards ensuring the upgrading of the standard of locally produced items and imported goods in accordance with International acceptable standards.

The union which commended the continuous closure of land borders across the country noted that Nigeria presently has the capacity to produce food,beverages, wines and other items locally without importation.

The President of the union, Lateef Oyelekan lamented that Nigeria has now turned a dumping ground for foreign products, but reasoned that such can be discouraged through upgrading of standard and proper monitoring of the nation’s border.

The members of the Union, according to him would continue to support the unprecedented tactics of land borders closure across the country which he said has tremendously curbed the activities of cross borders smugglers specialising in smuggling of Beverages, wine, Spirit, Rice, Petroleum products arms and ammunition.