High import tariffs, others threaten local paper production – CIPPON

The Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) has called for government intervention in the printing industry, citing factors such as high import tariffs and policy gaps that continue to affect local production of paper. The President and Chairman of the Council, Comrade Babajide Salako, made this appeal during a facility tour of the […]

The Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) has called for government intervention in the printing industry, citing factors such as high import tariffs and policy gaps that continue to affect local production of paper.

The President and Chairman of the Council, Comrade Babajide Salako, made this appeal during a facility tour of the Nixon paper mill.

He emphasised the role of paper in the printing industry, particularly in the production of educational materials.

The visit to Nixon paper mill provided insight into the company’s production capacity and quality, as well as its challenges.

Williams Sun, the business manager of Nixon paper mill, shared the processes involved in their paper production and the raw materials used.

However, he noted that the company still relies on imported chemical pulp, which is mixed with wood pulp.

“If we were to produce purely chemical pulp, we would need heavy investment in a recycling system to manage the chemicals and prevent damaging the environment,” he explained.

Sun added that due to the cost of these imported materials, some printers might perceive their prices as expensive.

However, he stressed that they are committed to maintaining quality and avoiding compromising on their paper’s standard.

Beyond production challenges, Sun added that distribution also remains a major challenge. According to him, the company produces an average of 6,000 tons of paper monthly but market demand exceeds about 20,000 tons per month.

“We produce an average of 200 tons per day, 6,000 tons per month and 72,000 per year,” he said.

Comrade Salako emphasised the need for urgent policy reforms in the printing industry, particularly concerning import tariffs that put Nigerian printers at a disadvantage.

He cited how Nigerian printers pay high duties on imported raw materials, while finished educational materials enter the country duty-free.

“The government should try to put a stop to any importation of finished educational materials,” Salako said.

“Alternatively, it should be reduced to the bare minimum. Also, duty should be charged on those finished educational materials because these educational materials are imported duty-free.”

Salako explained that this policy makes it difficult for local printers to compete, as imported books are sold at much lower prices than those produced in Nigeria due to the higher cost of local production.

He said, “We cannot be in healthy competition when we are being confronted with prices that are extremely low compared to what we have here. So, to address this, the government should assist the printing industry by stopping the importation of educational materials. And if anyone is bringing in finished educational materials, then there should be a duty charge on them to level the playing field,” he stated.

Comrade Salako also expressed his optimism about the potential of Nixon paper mill to address some of the long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s printing industry.