The Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), on Friday attributed the improved performances of corporate entities in Edo State to the economic reform initiatives of the Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s led administration.

The chairman MAN, Edo/ Delta, Dr Alofoje Unuigboje, made this remark while speaking at the 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association with the theme ‘The Nexus of Science, Technology and Industry’ in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Decrying the challenges the association members are facing in neigbouring states, the industrialist explained that Obaseki’s removal of barriers to business through reforms, had continued to make Edo state the preferred investment destination, attracting more businesses from the neighbouring states.

Unuigboje listed some of the challenges that manufacturers in the adjourning states were facing to include all manner of charges and fees being collected on Delta roads by those he described as ”urchins”.

According to him, the ease of doing business policy which allows free movement of goods on the state roads in Edo State has led to considerable improvement of economic activities.

The MAN boss noted further that in addition to the conducive environment, there was the absence of numerous urchins from industrial premises, who impose arbitrary and extortionate demands on industrialists.

Unuigboje also lauded the Edo State government’s support for industries in its geographical zone, through patronage of local products.

He explained: “It makes good business sense, as it is a necessary internal development that boosts the economy of the state.

“Supporting local industries through patronage of local products is not a favour but a reflection of enlightened self-interest,” he said.

In his remarks, the National President of the association, Dr Frank Jacobs, noted that real sector was adversely affected by the recessionary trend in the nation’s economy witnessed up to the year 2017, which the country recently exited.

The MAN leader appealed to the federal and state governments to work together and involve relevant stakeholders in designing appropriate strategies needed to sustain the nation’s economic growth.

Specifically, he charged the Delta and Edo governments to intensify efforts aimed at attracting more investments into their domains, pointing out that both states could do better in industrial development.