By Mike Mbonye
Rustenburg – Mr Emeka Ogbeche, a Nigerian businessman based in Rustenburg, South Africa, has appealed to the Federal Government to encourage local manufacturers to produce quality goods for export and local use.
Ogbeche made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Rustenburg, North West Province of South Africa on Wednesday.
He said that such manufacturers had potentials to produce materials that met accepted standards.
“ I sell clothes, shoes, hair piece (weavon), and jewelleries. It is interesting to know that South Africans like made in Aba sandals and our local fabrics like Adire, Ankara and George.
“ The sandals are made with high-quality leather. Nigerian sandals are selling well in South Africa.
“ Our traditional wears are also selling well here,” he said.
Ogbeche, therefore, urged the government to assist such manufacturers to produce local wears, shoes, bags and ear rings and create the avenue for export.
“ I appeal to the government to assist these manufacturers with loans so that they can produce for local use and make it easy for export.
“ If our manufacturers have good agents to bring in shoes, adire, Ankara, ear rings, hair piece, they will be in good business because South Africans buy them.
“ I am impressed with sandals and shoes made in Aba. They are of high quality and can meet international standard,” Ogbeche said.
The businessman also admonished Nigerians living in South Africa to key into areas that can open businesses for them.
“ I have been in South Africa for 20 years. I started as a receptionist in a hotel in Johannesburg.
“ With my little savings, I bought and sold Made-in-Nigeria bags, ear rings in the streets. With much hard work, I opened a clothing shop,” he said.
Ogbeche said that business opportunities exist in South Africa and stressed the need to encourage manufacturers at home to produce quality materials good for local use and export.
