Sanwo-Olu Commissions First Indigenous Medical Face Mask Factory In Lagos State

The first indigenous medically graded face mask manufacturing company has opened in Lagos State.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, opened the O-Care Medical Face Mask factory in Odofin Park Estate, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the State, saying the development was timely.

The factory is a subsidiary of Transgreen Nigeria Limited, a local manufacturer of medical equipment, such as a respirator, ventilator, hand gloves and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The O-Care face mask is said to be the first certified medical face mask locally produced in Nigeria in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.

The Governor said the idea of setting up the factory was necessitated by the shortage of medically treated PPEs experienced in the wake of the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He said he was personally elated by the development, in that the first indigenous face mask production factory was built in Lagos.

He said:

“I am personally excited to attend this event because Lagos is recording another first for a good cause. The establishment of the first indigenous factory producing certified medical face masks represents the can-do spirit of Nigerians. As a Government that supports fresh and progressive ideas, we will continue to celebrate and encourage good innovation.

“Mr. Orakpor deserves commendation because he has not let the pandemic affect his investment drive in bringing about new business and products to fit our own environment. This is part of the narratives we are pushing as government. We can be the enabler for investors to set up businesses.

“If the wearing of face masks must be accepted as a new normal, we must be able to strategically domesticate solutions that can provide a ready market for our people. The opening of the factory is a confirmation of what we stand for as a Government. We must be the catalyst to nurture ideas and support the business.”

The Governor disclosed that the State Government had started to work out modalities for the creation of an economic zone for healthcare delivery to drive more investments to the sector.

He said the Government was looking at a long-term loan facility for operators in the health sector to achieve local production of scarce medical equipment and materials.

The Governor hailed the factory owner’s audacity and resilience in investing his capital for the production of medical face mask, which he described as the most sought after product in this period of a public health crisis.

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