Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria, CIPPON is deepening its campaign against unlicensed printers in Nigeria,accusing them of promoting unethical practices in the nation’s printing industry.
Besides,the Institute urged the federal government and some of its agencies to desist from patronizing such printers as a way of strengthening CIPPON Act 24 of 2007 which enable it as an institution to bring sanity to the printing industry.
Specifically,CIPPON implored the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not to award of contract to an unlicenced printing outfit to print ballot papers.
Mr. Malomo Olugbemi,the Institute’s president,who spoke at a press conference in Lagos,lamented that there has some unscrupulous printers who according to him have been a clog to the wheel of the progress of the industry, alleging them of corrupt practices which have been hampering the economic value-chain gains in the industry.
He added:“It is very pertinent that we brief the nation, particularly the president of Nigeria that is desirous of a corruption free Nation about developments in our industry that is capable of truncating the progress we have made in the quest for Nigerian printing industry remaining in Nigeria campaign.
“We are currently have a situation in the industry that’s some big printers in Abuja that represents “ the status quo “ are currently using to distabilse our industry because of the award of INEC contract .
“From the beginning of our first tenure as Council members after the election in July 2019 , we embarked on a journey of using the instrument of regulation provided by ACT 24 of 2007 to contribute to the economic growth / development of our nation by making printing business profitability again and intentionally laying out plans to institutionalized our industry hitherto dominated by “status quo”,he said.
He implored the electoral commission on the need to award contract to the institute licensed printers, adding that the leadership of the institution would not rest on its oar to fight back corrupt elements in the country.
“We challenged the status quo in our industry and called them to accountability. We call up government agencies particularly INEC on the need to patronize local printers and printing contracts should only be awarded to the Institute licensed printers as enshrined in the Act .Our campaign to have INEC patronized local printers is available in the public domain and from the onset we are not under any illusion that status quo will fight back .
“We knew that to change the status quo and address the issues of fair and transparency government procurement is like “ riding on the tail of the tiger “ still we are undaunted . We will rather try and fail than just not do anything when we had the opportunity.Alas, corruption is now fighting back and we need your help so that truth and justice may prevailed.” He said.
He advised the federal government of one Mr. Tommy Ittu who works with the federal ministry of information, saying that he has been parading himself as the sole administrator of the institute with the use of the ministry of information as his backing.
He narrated that there was a court order by the federal high court sitting in Jalingo under Hon. Justice S.A Amobeda, with suit no: FHC/JAL/CS/4/2022 which was filed by one of the aggrieved members of the institute-Mrs. Olajunmoke Owoeye which restrained the institute from conducting election.
He said the court drafted in Mr. Ittu to run the affairs of the institute and conduct election within 3 months, adding that the judgement has been challenged by the institute in the Court of Appeal sitting in Yola in a suit no: FHC/JAL/CS/4/2022.
“That the judgement was immediately challenged by the filling of an appeal and stay of execution of the judgement on the 23rd of September, 2022. That thereafter on the 29th of September 2022, Mr. Ittu posted an undated Press release proclaiming himself as the “ sole administrator “ of the Institute ( see attached 12) disregarding the appeal and stay of execution notice”,he said
He bemoaned such acclaimed position by Mr. Ittu as sole administrator was not in tandem with the ACT that set up the institute.