Executive Director, Septem Paints, a subsidiary of Eleganza Group, Bolaji Okoya, has canvassed less bureaucracy by agencies and parastatals to promote the economy and return of departed companies.
He insisted that wooing back firms is possible if government invests in, reduces cost of power and restructures agencies to work effectively for growth of the real sector rather than just concentrating on money for government.
Okoya spoke at a forum, organised to unveil the company’s products to key industry players in Lagos. He said: “We have a new government in place and my hope is that it will become industry-friendly. One of the biggest things President Bola Tinubu mentioned during his campaign was energy. If the cost of energy can be checked, then it will have an effect on other things, and the cost of materials would come down. We also need to reduce the bureaucracy in government agencies to get things done.
“Agencies and parastatals need to have service-oriented minds. They must be mindful of solving problems rather than only be concerned with making income for the government. Then there will be complete turnover and the companies that have left Nigeria will come back.”
On importance of the event, he noted: “Hosting the painters is for Nigerians to be aware that we are here to give them quality products and satisfy them.
“We ventured into paint production because we noticed that the industry is awash with a lot of products, and the good ones are too expensive, while the affordable ones are of inferior quality.”
Okoya continued: “We noticed that there’s a gap, and we are also capitalising on the fact that our parent company, Eleganza, has been known for production for over 50 years. So, quality is our watchword. We are a subsidiary of Eleganza Industries, and there is one thing we say, ‘your name is your guarantee’. We have an ethos, a passion and an addiction for quality. So, every time we get into the market, it is our focus to differentiate ourselves through the products we manufacture.
“Our aim is not only to make profits, but to also create jobs and produce the best for the market.
The Production Manager, Nwidag Serekara Blessing, observed: “The Eleganza Group is one of the indigenous manufacturing firms still existing till today. So, going into paint making is not something we just jumped into. We understand the African terrain and the Nigerian market. So, we came up with a brand that is unique, sustainable and affordable.
“We are committed to giving Africa an identity. We have provided jobs for Nigerians within two years of existence.” On challenges facing production in Nigeria, he said: “Raw materials and power remain the major challenges for manufacturers. Also the unstable financial market is an issue of concern.
On his part, General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Segun Thompson, said: “We stand for quality, coating solution. One key thing we identify with is the fact that our source, the Eleganza Group, chaired by Alhaji Razak Okoya, is a well-known name when it comes to quality, and we stand by that. We are not going to break the flow. So, we assure Nigerians that we are here to stay.
Speaking on importance of full application of local content, he submitted: “Number one thing any country can boast of is human capital. So, the full implementation of local content and engagement of youths are key. Implementing 100 per cent local content will reduce unemployment.”
