Nigeria commissions 2.5 million metric tonnes cement factory

Goodluck Jonathan
The Nigerian President

Nigeria commissions 2.5 million metric tonnes cement factory
Hauwa Noroh Ali, Abuja

The Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has inaugurated a 2.5 million metric tonnes cement plant at Ewekoro, Ogun state, south western Nigeria.

The official inauguration of the cement plant tagged “Lakatabu” was built by Lafarge WAPCO plc.

In his address, President Jonathan said that the Nigerian Government was committed to partnering with the Private Sector to grow the economy and ensure success of the Cement sub sector in Nigeria.

He said that his administration’s policy was geared toward boosting local production and productivity of Nigerians as well as diversifies the economy and move away from monolithic economy.

 According to him, “we must encourage private sector to go into local production of products and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.”

President Jonathan reiterated that the Nigerian government was committed to backward integration policy in the cement sub-sector. He stressed that government  was determined to open up the agricultural sector especially rice and sugar to private sector participation and ensure the success of the policy.

In his goodwill message, the Governor of Ogun State, south west Nigeria, Senator Ibikunle Amosun urged Lafarge WAPCO to continue with its corporate responsibilities to the host communities and called on Nigerian Business Community to take advantage of the vast human and natural resources in the state.

He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to the diversification of the economy and the support of the Nigerian government in the improvement of life and property in the state.

The Group Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Lafarge South Africa, Mr. Bruno Lafont in his address pointed out that Lafarge was committed to investment in Nigeria adding that Lafarge WAPCO, Nigeria has the potential to become one of the largest Lafarge Company in the world.

Cement Production in Nigeria

Earlier, the Chairman, Lafarge Wapco, Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye pointed out that the total cement production from the company has increased to 8 million metric tonnes per annual and noted that the new plant has created 1000 employment opportunities.

 He stated that the company was committed to backward integration of Nigerian Government to achieve appreciable stability in the cement sub sector.

COKEY