adminThe Nigeria federal government has said that owing to its backward integration policy, the country now has an installed capacity of 39.5 million metric tonnes (mmt) of cement production.
This was made known by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday at the Line II groundbreaking ceremony of the 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 tonnes of cement hitherto produced locally per annum, by 2013, we have achieved 39.5 million metric tonnes 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 galvanise 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.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria said on Monday that Chinese investors are welcome as its electricity transmission expansion programme is now open for foreign investment in the form of public-private partnership.
Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, power minister of Nigeria, made the remarks at a meeting with leading stakeholders and investors from Chinese power industry in the capital city Abuja.
The minister said in a statement reaching Xinhua that the investment in the Nigerian power sector will be safe and get adequate returns.
“I urge you all to participate in the planned power transmission project in Nigeria.
“The government of Nigeria is working out the participation of private sector in the transmission sub-sector under a public-private partnership,” he said.
Wakil described the opportunities in the power transmission and renewable energy sector as “very attractive and sustainable.”
“In the renewable sector, we are opened to both independent power producers and participants in the Private-Public Partnership,” he added.
He stressed that investors in Nigeria should maintain high level of efficiency and standard.
Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer and most populous country, is intensively seeking more investment in its power industry to meet growing energy demands.-Businessday.
Online Reporter