Nigeria hits 39.5mmt installed capacity of cement production

The Federal Government has said that owing to its backward integration policy, the country now has an installed capacity of 39.5 million metric tons (mmt) of cement production.

This was made known by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday at the Line II groundbreaking ceremony of UNICEM cement factory, Mfamosing, Calabar, Cross River State.

The president, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, noted that the backward integration policy in the cement industry was initiated by the Federal Government in 2002 to meet self-sufficiency in cement production.

He said, “From a paltry 2 million metric tons of cement hitherto produced locally per annum, by 2013, we have achieved 39.5 million metric tons of installed capacity.”

The president described the manufacturing industry as

the backbone of the country’s growth emphasising that government would continue to formulate policies that would galvanize the industry.

According to the president, to tackle the challenges being faced by industries in Cross River State, the 550 megawatts Calabar power plant would soon be commissioned, adding that construction work would soon commence on the rail line leading to Calabar up to Obudu Ranch, while also the dredging of the Calabar River as well as the construction of a deep sea port at Ibaka, among other infrastructural developments, were on top gear.

He, therefore, enjoined cooperation among all stakeholders as this was necessary for progress, saying, “Government will continue to cooperate with the relevant agencies both public and private to champion meaningful projects and ensure steady progress in our communities.”

President Jonathan while commending the management of UNICEM for keying into the transformation agenda, stressed the need to carry along the communities in the area of its operations, saying, “Improving the lives of the people in these communities remains your greatest business asset.”

BusinessDay