Shongai Packaging begins export of plastic pallets to West African markets

0

As part of its market expansion strategy, Shongai Packaging Limited, a leading plastic manufacturing company in Nigeria, has started exporting plastic pallet to markets within the West Africa sub-region. The first consignment of 40 containers left Nigeria on Tuesday for Abidjan.

Mr. Arjan Mirchandani, the Chairman of Sona Group, parent company of Shongai Packaging Limited, made the disclosure to newsmen, at the launch of the export initiative and factory tour held inside the company’s premises in Ota, Ogun State.

Mirchandani disclosed that the raw materials used for the manufacturing of the pallets were sourced from waste, adding that lot of jobs have been created and the country eco-system is being protected, thereby preventing deforestation and negative impact on the climate. This, he noted is due to the innovative shift from wood pallet manufacturing common in the country to plastic pallets.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, represented by the Director (Inspectorate), Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Engr. Battah Ndirpaya stated that the innovation by Shongai Packaging fits into the Federal Government economic recovery plan and will in turn translate into wealth creation for the country.

“This is particular an exciting project, it creates jobs and generates wealth especially for the youth and women in the surroundings and beyond. I understand the end product, that is the pallet, is manufactured from plastic waste. I am also informed that pallet comes with high demand from export market, thereby making it a foreign exchange earner. Environmentally, the raw materials for the product, plastic is being picked up from our streets and gutters which cleans up our surroundings and will help in reducing the spread of diseases,” she disclosed.

Speaking on the need to export, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru explained that export will help the country grow significantly and lead the country out of its present economic challenges.

He however, warned manufacturers not to concentration a large percentage of their production on exportation at the expense of meeting the needs of people locally because if that happens, the country might fall into economic crisis that it would be difficult to come out of.

The commissioner applauded the contribution of Shongai Packaging and the Sona Group for contributing to the growth of the state and the country’s economic prosperity through their innovative products and services.

Ashiru noted that the laudable achievement was possible because of the enabling environment the state has created, which has made it the fastest manufacturing hub in the country.

Similarly, the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Ogun State Coordinator, Engr. Samuel Ayuba said the product is of international standards and urged Nigerians to buy made-in-Nigeria products.

Speaking on the challenges confronting manufacturers in the country, Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State, Wale Adegbite urged the government to provide infrastructure facilities like good roads and power for their members to thrive.