The Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) yesterday cried out that some cabals are frustrating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and other government agencies from patronising local printers.

CIPPON President and Chairman-in-Council, Malomo Olugbemi, stated this yesterday in Lagos while briefing newsmen on the state of the industry.

“In agencies such as UBEC that award contracts worth billions of Naira for printing of books annually, the majority of the books are printed overseas. Others include INEC that spends billions every four years to print ballot papers.

“It is to be noted that the dealing of such big agencies in the awards of contract is done in a “cult like manner” by them in collaboration with the “industry status quo (strongmen),” he said.

Olugbemi called for the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari to save the nation the huge resources expended in printing government jobs overseas.

He lamented that huge money allocated for printing by government agencies had not translated into economic benefits for the industry. (Daily Trust)