Minister tasks furniture association on standard products

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu En­elamah has called on members of the United Furniture Association to ensure that their products meet the required stan­dards.
Enelamah, who made this call in his speech in Abuja on Thursday when he played host to the association, said furni­ture market has a lot of potentials for the nation’s economy and harped on the need to meet its present market demand.

His words: “We have to consume our own goods, which is part of our buy made in Nigeria campaign. Furniture is a good industry, let us meet our local needs first because there is high local demand.”
While assuring of the ministry’s support in addressing the challenges face by the sector, the minister charged the associa­tion to take advantage of the various pro­grammes put in place by the Bank of In­dustry, Industrial Training Fund, among others, to grow the furniture industry.
Earlier, President of the United Furni­ture Association, Prince Emeka Egwue­kwe appealed to the minister to act swift­ly in addressing the challenges bedeviling the furniture sector.
“We beg the ministry to assist furni­ture makers to access overseas loans and grants for massive furniture production. We need the sponsorship of our members to participate in foreign trade fairs and ex­hibitions,” he said, just as he lamented the absence of industrial estates for furniture manufacturers.
“We advise that government should map out an industrial estate for furniture makers in Abuja. An industrial estate that will have a healthcare centre.
“Presently, Kugbo furniture market, Abuja, has no hospital. The hazard of our profession is such that members sustain injuries while on duty and find it difficult to get treatment in an emergency,” Prince Egwuekwe added.