The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has commended stakeholders for their commitment to transforming the sector through the adoption of resource efficiency and cleaner production methodologies.

MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, gave the commendation in his opening remarks at the five-day GEF-UNIDO Industrial Energy Efficiency and Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production specialised workshop for the Bank of Industry and strategic stakeholders in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday.

He specifically praised the BOI, which has been tasked with managing the financing component of the initiative, for its pivotal role in the project.

The GEF-UNIDO project is a collaborative initiative between the Global Environmental Facility and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, aimed at helping countries achieve global environmental benefits by reducing emissions, achieving climate resilience, and eliminating chemical waste.

“This capacity-building workshop brings together stakeholders such as UNIDO, the Project Management Unit, the Bank of Industry, and selected financial institutions.

“It signifies our collective commitment to supporting the transformation of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector through the adoption of resource efficiency and cleaner production methodologies while ensuring environmental sustainability.

“Our veritable partners, the Bank of Industry, play a pivotal role in this project. They have been tasked with managing the financing component, ensuring that manufacturers have the necessary resources to implement energy-efficient solutions and cleaner production practices.

“I, therefore, commend the Bank of Industry for its dedication to fostering green and sustainable industrial practices in Nigeria,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

He highlighted the importance of the project, stressing that financial support would help industries across Nigeria adopt technologies and systems that reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and contribute to sustainable development.

He added that the workshop would provide relevant information on the structure, framework, and key aspects of the GEF-UNIDO IEE & RECP Nigeria project. It would also foster a better understanding of industrial energy efficiency and resource-efficient cleaner production methodologies while equipping participants with the requisite knowledge for the successful implementation of the project.

Giving an overview of the initiative, the National Project Coordinator, Mr Oladipp Jacob, who represented Oluyemi Banjo, the National Project Coordinator for Environment and Energy at UNIDO Nigeria, listed the project’s key stakeholders, including the BOI, the Federal Ministry of Power, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and the National Universities Commission, among others.