…speaks on next steps
Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Limited (“JSM”) located in Awa, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, has made clarifications over the reports making the rounds in the media suggesting that the company has ended its operations in Nigeria.
JSM, which was inaugurated on September 23rd, 2017, by the former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has become the market leader with its top-quality syringes in Nigeria in addition to creating hundreds of employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians at large.
However, despite the huge sum invested in the syringe factory, the management staff have been unable to meet up with its expected target, hence the decision of the investors to restructure and reorganise the management team and the entire structures of the production lines for better profitability and sustainability.
In a statement issued by JSM investors through the Managing Director of VKS Group of Companies, Mr. Onur Kumral, the investors dismissed news reports that JSM was ending its operations in the country completely. The Managing Director explained that contrary to reports, the company is only undergoing a restructuring phase which will only make the company experience a brief break within this period.
Kumral noted that the reorganisation of JSM is a decision of the investors following the inability of the management to meet up with its expected targets for several years stressing that the shake-up only affects management staff and the entire structures of the production line, which is geared towards better productivity of the company. He assured that the company will return to full operations soon.
The statement reads in part: “JSM is simply undertaking temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of its operations. Restructuring is not new in any given business environment and sometimes you undertake reviews with sustainability in mind.
“When you set up a multimillion-dollar factory such as JSM, it is important to take a critical review of its operations and that of the management staff. JSM is a for-profit business and when expected targets are not met year after year, a shake-up is inevitable, which is what we have decided to do.
“We want to assure our esteemed customers that there is no need to panic. We are still in business as Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Limited and we are poised to keep to our commitment to remain as the producer of the highest quality syringes in Nigeria.
“We call on the general public and our esteemed customers to disregard insinuations in certain media outlets reporting a total shut down of JSM operations in Nigeria, we remain in business, and we will come back stronger than before.”
The company’s clarification came after the media was awash with reports of its ending operations in the state. One of such stories tracked by our paper read as follows:
“Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing (JSM) company in Awa, Onna LGA of Akwa Ibom, has ended its operations, attributing the decision to “unforeseen circumstances affecting our business operations.”
The company, reputed to be the largest syringe manufacturing venture in Africa, was inaugurated in 2017 by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Though it had stopped production many months ago, it finally announced the end of operations on December 31, 2023, saying it had to implement temporary measures to ensure the company’s long-term sustainability
In a memo addressed to all the workers, a copy of which was made available to journalists, stated that all positions, including yours, have been placed on temporary redundancy effective January 1, 2024.
The statement titled ‘Temporary Redundancy – Service Not Needed Till Further Notice’ said, “We trust this message finds you in good health. It is with a heavy heart that we write to you today to communicate a challenging decision that Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company Limited has had to make due to unforeseen circumstances affecting our business operations.
“After careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of our current business situation, we regret to inform you that we must implement temporary measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the company.”
It added, “Unfortunately, this includes placing all positions, including yours, on temporary redundancy effective January 1, 2024. We want to emphasise that this decision is not a reflection of your individual performance or dedication to the company.
“The challenging business environment we find ourselves in has compelled us to take these difficult steps.
“Please return all company belongings in your custody. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during these challenging times.”