Manufacturers threaten court action against trade union

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has threatened to sue Seafoods Beverages & Cashcrops Dealers Association of Nigeria (SDCDAN) for demanding “obnoxious fees” from its members.

Director, Corporate Affairs, MAN, Mr. Ambrose Oruche, exclusively told BusinessLive.ng that the association had written to the government on the issue and if it fails to get a favourable response, it would be heading for the court.

In a letter signed by SDCDAN’s National President, Comrade (Hon.) Bolaji R. Lawal and its General Secretary, Comrade (Mrs) Fatima L. Ahmed, a copy which was seen by BusinessLive.ng, the body claimed its objective is to generate revenue on behalf of the federal government through the issuance of token levy to businesses conglomerate of seafood, beverages and cash crops in Nigeria.

“Note, operation begins the next day upon receipt of this letter. We are proud to say security agencies- police, army, NSCDC, customs, NDLEA- are abreast of this development. We are not a party to illegality,” the letter read in part.

When BusinessLive.ng called one of the phone numbers on the letter of the association, which claimed to be an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress, a man picked the call but cut it after our reporter introduced himself and stated his reason for the call. The person refused to answer subsequent calls put across to him, neither did he respond to the text message sent to him.

Mr. Oruche noted that adding this new levy to the multiple taxes and levies that manufacturers have been battling with would further make life unbearable to businesses in the country.

“Such obnoxious levies are some of the reasons businesses don’t last in the country. The government should find ways to protect people who invest in manufacturing instead of government securities,” he said.

He added that it is the private sector that can help the country overcome its high unemployment challenges as the government alone cannot provide the needed jobs.