Nigerian Paints Manufacturers commence production, sales of Lead-free Paints

….NEC, PMAN envisage a restart of the Certificate Programme in Paint and Coatings.

by Omolola Dede Adeyanju

The Paints Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (PMAN) has commenced the production and sales of lead-free paints for a healthy environment. The monitoring and enforcement of lead-free paints policies for all manufacturers are billed to kick off soon.

This was disclosed by the Chairman, Paints Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Mr A.S Babatunde during the PMA Nigeria 2022 Coatings show held in Lagos yesterday. According to the chairman, ‘the two-day exhibition themed ‘Maximizing the Opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area in Post Covid Era’ is tailored towards helping manufacturers in the industry learn and prepare for the soon to take off African single market.

‘This year’s coating show is the seventh edition since it commenced in 2016 and is the the only dedicated coatings event in West Africa. Except those who sell their products through informal routes, our members are yet to explore the African market fully. Our exhibitors are from different part of the globe including Nigeria.

‘Our collaboration with the Federal Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Research and Development (SRADEV) Nigeria on the second phase of lead elimination in Paint project in Nigeria was successfully concluded. Also, our technical Committee was represented in the working group/technical committee of the standard organization of Nigeria (SON) that worked in conjunction with Nigerian Corrosion Association (NICA) and other stakeholders on the review and adoption of some ISO Corrosion inhibition standards on paints and varnishes for the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

The Chairman further noted, ‘Some industry players have observed that the paint industry is facing the challenges of dearth of middle level manpower (paint technicians) and have called for the restart of the Certificate program in Paint and coatings technology at the yaba college of technology. The programme collapsed due to wrong management decision at the institution. The National Executive Council, our parent body and other stakeholders are looking at the various options available. The programme may run on a new arrangement if things work out as envisaged.

Speaking exclusively to Nigerian Newsdirect, sequel to complaint of the association concerning the estimated number of over five hundred unregistered members, he revealed to that the association is liberal but the registered members have greater backups from agencies, partners and stakeholders for advancement of their productions.

‘There are great opportunities of development and advancement for manufacturers who are members from international and local experts’.

He encouraged paint manufacturers to join the association in order to be a part of the advancements and move the country forward. According to him, ‘The PMA Nigeria 2022 coating show is incorporated with synergy from suppliers, manufacturers, developers, researchers, applicators, architects, surveyors and every stakeholder in the construction and housing sphere.

This increases the chances of networking, partnership and development. WE even have the National gas expansion Program (NGEP) chairman, Dr. Mohammed M. Ibrahim; The Director General, Standard organization of Nigeria chairman, Mallam Farouk Salim; Director General/ CEO, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. H.B Ibrahim; Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ajayi Kadir (mni) and other relevant bodies here to help with innovative ideas and synergize with us.

He assured that the major constraint to the Paint industry is infrastructure but the paints manufactured in the country can compete anywhere globally.

Chairman, planning committee 2022, and former PMAN chairman, Mr. Rotimi Aluko explained that the coating show which is a biennial event has come back on stream after the intrusion of covid 19. ‘In a pleasant way, we are surprised that the society has bounced back. We are having more interest from the international audience. We moved from Sheraton hotel to this location due to expansion and the large audience we are getting for the show. This also depicts our span and the scale of supports which we get. We have banks exhibiting, this year we have technology companies giving us routes to non-chemical productions and machine manufacturers as well.

To ensure availability of materials, he enumerated that most of the materials are not locally produced, ‘the industry rely on imported materials, and we also encourage ourselves to buy the local available materials. It’s important we support our counterpart products. Also, the show is very relevant to the industry because it provides a platform for investors to see who they can partner with. Many of them are already assured that if the climate is right, they can set up, partner and invest in the industry here especially for some of the products where we have significant presence’.

He further explained that startups are attracted to the show and there have been increasing induction of new members because of the high volume of opportunities opened to them in the show. They meet with people from around the world who produce raw materials and the locally sourced ones. He advised startups who intend in expanding and advancing their businesses legally and ethically to join such association. ‘They should run ethical business and get educated on the right way to do their businesses, being exposed to federal government, state government regulatory bodies like; local and federal environmental protection agencies, LASEPA, standard agencies like SON and others. If your business is not legally and ethically identifiable, such business cannot get approval from the right agencies like NAFDAC, etc.

Even suppliers are regulated and endorsed by NAFDAC. Their warehouses are supervised to ensure that the storage of the products is not hazardous to the environment. Startups need education on the right environment to situate their establishment so as not to cause environmental damage’, he added.

According to the Director, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Mrs. G.N. Ozonyia, OD (CPMD), ‘The council has achieved huge progress in its source for raw materials locally. ‘Presently, there are a number of chemicals we already source and produce in Nigeria. We are working closely with all stakeholders, hence our support and presence in the PMAN 2022 coating show to create awareness of available locally sourced raw materials’.

Managing Director Funda paints, Mr. Tijani Abdulgafaar A. revealed that the increase in cost of raw materials is alarming. He remarked that PMAN in a bid to create a balance between cutting cost and producing standard and quality products have organized such shows for the benefit of manufacturers, investors and other relevant stakeholders. He believes that what he has learnt in the coating show 2022, will be benignant in creating a balance for his establishment.