4th February, 2013
By Abiodun Onafuye, Abeokuta
Members of the Association of Terrazo, Marbles and Tiles in Ogun State have threatened a showdown with the government for patronising foreign companies at their expense.
The association accused the government of attempting to cripple their businesses by preventing their members from benefitting from capital projects embarked upon by the government across the state, despite their payment of taxes and other dues to the coffers of the government.
The chairman of the association, Mr. Badmus Wasiu, who disclosed this after a conference held in Abeokuta, said the association was fed up with the attitude of the state government over its continued patronage of foreign artisans.
He appealed to the government to give contracts on the flooring works of the proposed model schools in the state to his members.
“With over 10,000 members, we are not ready to play second fiddle to any state in Nigeria.
“The association in Ogun State has been proactive in fighting for the interest of our members. We have successfully brokered an agreement with the government for our members to pay their taxes through the association to the state Internal Revenue Service.
“The government should ensure that all terrazo, marbles and tiles jobs in Ogun State projects go to our members as a matter of right. One good turn deserves another. No member of our association has benefitted from any of this projects in Ogun State,” Wasiu stated.