Place embargo on importation of printed materials, stakeholders tell government

Stakeholders in the print industry have called on the Federal Government to place an embargo on the importation of printed materials.

This, they say, will give local printers opportunity to operate at maximum capacity.

While lamenting on the importation of printed materials like textbooks and other instructional materials into the country, they call for a direct patronage of indigenous printers by state and federal governments as well as ministries, departments and agencies.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria International Print Expo in Abuja Wednesday, Yahaya Amfani, chairman/CEO, Yaliam Press, said effective government partnership with local print industry would lead to more job creation, conservation of foreign exchange and prevention of capital flight, improved capacity building among the industry, citizenry and government at all levels, revenue generation through payment of taxes by indigenous printers, among others.

The two-day event with the theme: “Print Business in the North: Emerging Opportunities and Possibilities,” witnessed exhibitors from within and outside the country.

While stressing that Nigerian printers can satisfy printing demands in Nigeria and Africa, he however, regretted that “lots of print jobs leave the shores of this country, leaving us with little to do most times.”

Organiser of the event and president, DCS Integrated Media Limited, Tunde Obokhai, asked investors to take advantage of the enormous potentials of the print industry in the North.

“There are a lot of potentials yet unharnessed within. It is possible for us to satisfy our country’s printing needs in offset, digital printing, security printing such as visas, electoral materials, passports, currency, labels printing, light packaging, publishing and all printing related matters,” he said.