A sad news for the health sector in Nigeria and Africa as a whole: the largest syringe factory in the continent has closed down after only six years of operation. The factory, which was inaugurated in 2018 by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, had the capacity to produce 400 million syringes per year, making it a vital source of medical supplies for the region.
The factory, located in Akwa Ibom state, was a joint venture between the state government and a Turkish company, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company (JSM). It was hailed as a landmark achievement that would boost the local economy, create jobs and improve health care delivery. The factory also aimed to export its products to other African countries and beyond.
However, according to a report by Premium Times, the factory has been shut down since December 2023 due to a series of challenges that crippled its operations. Some of these challenges include:
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Lack of raw materials: The factory relied on imported raw materials, mainly plastic granules, from Turkey and China. However, due to the global supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the factory faced difficulties in sourcing and transporting these materials. The high cost of foreign exchange also made it expensive to import the raw materials.
Lack of patronage: Despite its huge production capacity, the factory struggled to find customers for its products. The Nigerian government, which was expected to be the major buyer of the syringes, did not place any orders with the factory. Instead, it continued to import syringes from other countries, mainly China and India. The factory also failed to secure contracts from other African countries or international organizations.
Lack of power supply: The factory depended on diesel generators to power its machines, as the national grid was unreliable and insufficient. However, the rising cost of diesel and the scarcity of fuel made it difficult for the factory to run its generators. The factory also faced frequent breakdowns of its machines due to power fluctuations.
Lack of skilled workers: The factory employed about 400 workers, most of whom were trained by Turkish experts. However, many of these workers left the factory due to poor working conditions, low wages and lack of incentives. The factory also had difficulties in recruiting and retaining new workers, as there was a shortage of skilled labor in the area.
The closure of the factory has left many workers jobless and many stakeholders disappointed. It has also raised questions about the viability and sustainability of such projects in Nigeria and Africa. The factory’s management has blamed the government for not supporting the factory and not creating an enabling environment for its success. The government has not commented on the matter yet.
The fate of the factory remains uncertain, as there are no clear plans to revive it or sell it to another investor. The factory’s assets are currently lying idle and deteriorating. The factory’s closure is a huge loss for Nigeria and Africa, as it deprives them of a valuable resource that could have improved their health outcomes and reduced their dependence on foreign imports.
