Reps tour Anambra factory, pledge protection of local industries

Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring have toured the Zobis Cable Nigeria Limited...

Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring have toured the Zobis Cable Nigeria Limited factory in Onitsha, Anambra State, expressing satisfaction with the industrial strides recorded by the company.

During the visit on Thursday, the lawmakers said Zobis Cable, an indigenous electrical cable manufacturer, has shown a demonstration of Nigerian ingenuity, technical excellence, and commitment to national industrial growth.

Speaking shortly after the tour, the Chairman, House Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring, Boma Goodhead, said the visit was also to conduct a first-hand assessment of the company’s capabilities, local content initiative and technological advancements.

Goodhead said the oversight visit was also to explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration between the government, regulatory bodies and local manufacturers to drive industrial growth and job creation.

She expressed satisfaction on the compliance of Zobis Cable Nigeria Limited to the principles of the Nigerian Oil and Industry Content Development Act.

She said, “From what we have witnessed during our oversight visit at the Zobis Cable Nigeria Limited today, we reaffirm that Nigeria has what it takes to produce world-class industrial materials locally and to meet the technical demands of the oil and gas, energy, and construction sectors.

“As a committee of the National Assembly, we are particularly impressed with the company’s adherence to the principles of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, its deployment of modern production technologies, and its ambitious drive toward value addition and import substitution.

“The scale of investment here shows that indigenous manufacturers are ready to compete globally if given the right policy support, visibility, and access to the oil and gas value chain.

“Importantly, this aligns with the President’s renewed national drive for industrial transformation through the Presidential Directives on ‘Nigeria’s First Goods and Services’.

“The President has made it clear that under his administration, all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, particularly those in the oil and gas, power, and infrastructure sectors, must prioritise the patronage of locally manufactured goods and services as a strategic path to sustainable economic growth, job creation, and technological self-reliance.”

According to her, the House Committee fully supports this presidential vision and will continue to provide the legislative backing and oversight framework needed to ensure its full implementation across Nigeria’s industrial ecosystem.

“This visit is, therefore, part of our broader legislative mandate to promote, monitor, and strengthen local content participation nationwide. By shining a spotlight on companies like Zobis Cable, we are sending a clear message:

“That the era of dependence on imported cables and electrical materials must give way to a new phase of Nigerian industrial self-reliance and home-grown technological advancement,” she added.

Members of the committee assured Zobis Cable and other indigenous manufacturers that the leadership of the National Assembly will continue to provide the necessary legislative and policy backing to enhance local production, attract further investment, and ensure that Nigerian products receive due recognition and patronage from major operators and regulators in the oil and gas industry.

They commended the management and staff of Zobis Cable Nigeria Ltd for their professionalism, innovation, and resilience, adding that their success story exemplifies the spirit of Nigerian Content — Made in Nigeria, Trusted by the World.

“Together, we will continue to work towards a future where Nigeria’s industrial capacity defines her economic strength and technological sovereignty,” she added.

In his speech, the Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Christian Udechukwu, said the visit was fully supported by the state government.

Udechukwu affirmed that the committee was delighted with what they observed in the Zobis Cable Ltd, saying that the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is very proud of the industrial capacity, which is expanding industrial policies and Industrial development base in the state.

Speaking to journalists, the Chief Executive Officer of Zobis Cables Niheria Limited, John Ezeobi, on behalf of the management and staff, said he was impressed by the visit by rep members.

Ezeobi, who described the visit as “special and historic”, said it would give the company the opportunity to know many other companies in the oil and gas sector to enable them to patronise local manufacturers.

He emphasised that in the past four years, local manufacturers have been trying to reduce the prices of cables to discourage importers from importing substandard products, stressing that such an idea has reduced profit-making in importing foreign cables in Nigeria.

He urged the Federal Government to encourage local manufacturers by assisting them with funds to enable them to produce more products to satisfy the Nigerian market.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).