Anne Ejuka
The Managing Director of LADOL Free Zone, Dr. Amy Jadesimi has said that achieving sustainable local industrialisation remains a necessary tool for Nigeria’s quest towards a strong supply chain.
Dr. Amy stated this in a presentation at the 2021 Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE Nigeria Council Annual Technical Symposium with theme: Maximising Supply Chain Viability in-Country: Drawbacks & The Way Forward.
According to the MD, the best way in achieving this in Nigeria is to support and enable thousands of new sustainable Nigerian businesses across a wide range of industries that primarily support the petroleum sector but which in future could support other industries from agriculture to urban building and green energy.
“The key to having strong supply chains in Nigeria is industrial development and diversification. The data shows that the most profitable businesses and those that will have increasing access to finance are sustainable business. Nigeria has an unmatched opportunity to grow and industrialise sustainably. Sustainable business models work across all industries. In fact, in just four sectors – healthcare, agriculture, energy, and urbanisation – there are USD12 trillion of sustainable business opportunities". She said.
Further, she explained that oil and gas is an integral part of Nigeria’s economy not only because the country is an exporter but also because the petroleum currently drives and is an integral part of every economy across the world. But the world economies have almost universally committed to shift away from petroleum towards greener solutions. “We are living in a world where the largest country in the world, led by President Joe Biden’s administration is making green commitments, not just in terms of transitioning but also in terms of investment today, far beyond the commitments made by previous leaders. UK, Europe, and countries in Asia are doing the same”.
The MD continued: “Even if we don’t transition our economy, we will end up being forced to. But that is the wrong way to look at this global shift. Rather this shift is a chance for us to build the right way and achieve sustainable industrialisation ahead of wealthier countries, which have to backward integrate. Especially since technologies are getting cheaper”.
“In summary, we need to industrialise to protect and strengthen our supply chains today – doing so sustainably through the local private sector will yield greater profits now and, in the future, enable us to get access to cheaper, longer-term fundings and put us at the forefront of a worldwide transition. While this transition could take another 20 to 30 years, there is no doubt that it is needed, it has started, and it will happen".
“In order to secure our supply chains today, our economy and industries tomorrow, we must develop more local eco-systems, just as we have done in LADOL, which support a wide range of industries".
On the need for local collaborations, the MD said: “We must also look at increasing collaboration to help tackle current manufacturing challenges. The Real Private sector working together can solve many of our collective challenges and create a closer and enabling working relationship with public sector. LADOL is in essence a platform, and that platform is to enable a range of companies to operate optimally locally in engineering, manufacturing, design and create finished goods here".
