Publishers urge FG to reopen Oku-Iboku papermill

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By Adesoba Toluwalope

The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), South East, has requested the Federal Government take a look at the Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company, Oku-Iboku in Akwa Ibom State.

NPA has described one of the greatest issues and problems Nigerian readers are facing is importation.

This in turn, has increased the rate of books and print media in the country, because of the hiked cost of materials needed.

The publishers made it known, that the newsprint milling industries in Nigeria is in Comatose and on the verge of death if not attended to immediately.

This was made during a press briefing to announce its 2020 National Conference and Annual General Meeting, AGM, which is to be held on December 3rd and 4th, 2020.

The Chairman Conference Organizing Committee, Chief Austin Onwubiko, who called the attention of the members to the unfortunate but true realization of the use of E-books. Austin further said, ” Restrategizing to strengthen Nigeria Publishing Companies to meet future challenges.

“We have woken up to the reality that E-book is here to stay with us. It’s a new phenomenon and a reality to Publishers to either adopt or be left behind.”

The NPA also cried out over the issue of piracy in Nigeria. Stating the neglect of the Federal Government concerning the issue. Especially on those who import books and with the dimension of importations of books from Asia Countries.

NPA laments, ” They now import books from China, Indonesia and flood Aba, Onitsha and Ajegunle. Piracy has taken over the Publishing Company and Government has not been able to do anything.”

NPA made it known that the lamentation is for the economic growth of the Newsprint industries in Nigeria and that they await a better response from the Federal Government.

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