At least 1.7 million syringes are been produced daily for pharmaceutical companies by the Akwa Ibom based Jubilee Syringe, Managing Director of the company Mr. Akin Oyediran has said.
Oyediran who made the disclosure when he hosted correspondents in his factory in ONNA local council further said that the demand for the product which has become a brand name in Nigeria is far more than the company’s production capacity.
“We turn out a minimum of 1.7 million syringes on a daily basis, and we sell 2.5 million daily we have been producing for the pass two years. The reason for the overwhelming demand is the quality of our product and the vibrant sales and marketing team which is made up of mostly Akwa Ibom people.” The MD explained.
Oyediran who conducted members of the Correspondents’ Chapel round the facility at the weekend hinted that he is taking full advantage of the law recently passed by the National Assembly that all Government hospital must use locally made Syringes.
He mentioned that the company was able to keep Nigeria hospitals afloat with constant supply of quality syringes even during the Covid-19 pandemic, when China closed their doors for exports of medical consumables.
Asked how he did it, he said the company had to quarantine and lock the staff inside the facility and continued with production to feed hospitals in Nigeria.
“The main reason for the law is because, the syringes we produce in Nigeria are world class and the country would not want to spend her foreign exchange on what is already being produced locally.
“We are working to ensure a total ban on importation of syringes into the country. We are working closely with the ministry of health and NAFDAC; they are cooperating with us very well. They are getting ready to send the document to the Federal Executive Council.
“It is a good thing for us in Nigeria to have good quality product produced locally. In Jubilee Syringe, we pay maximum attention to quality. We make sure we go through all the processes to ensure that what comes out is the best.”He explained.
Oyediran noted that a total ban on importation of syringes would give the company which is in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Akwa Ibom State Government an opportunity to increase production capacity as well as hire more Nigerians to work in various areas of need and would enhance economic as well as human capital development.
Calling on other companies in the country to follow the trend in ensuring that locally made products dominate the Nigerian market, the MD rolled out the company’s plan to manufacture other medical consumables which includes: Jubilee face mask, Jubilee hand glove, and Jubilee middle etc before end of 2022.
He however expressed appreciation to the state government for the partnership and provision of enabling environment for the business to thrive for the benefit of all in the country.