Buhari in Sokoto for the commissioning of BUA Cement plant 4 |
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Sokoto inaugurated a new three million metric tonnes per annum BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4 Factory, expressing delight that the Federal Government’s policies on economic diversification, job creation and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, were working.
Speaking at the inauguration of the plant, described as the
largest private sector employer of labour in the North-Western part of Nigeria,
the President in a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, pledged
that his administration would continue to support serious investors to set up
businesses that will take advantage of huge reserves of resources in different
parts of the country.
The President recounted that in 1985 as the then Head of
State, he was at the same location to commission the second line of the
facility.
“Today, almost thirty-seven years later, to commission the
fourth line is a very special day for me personally.
“As you all know, one of the key economic pillars of our
administration has been to create an enabling environment for businesses to
thrive. This is necessary for job creation and indeed, for our economy and
national security.
“In the past few weeks, I visited Ogun and Kaduna States
where I observed many private sector investments in action. And today, I am
here in Sokoto to commission this multi-billion Naira project.
“It is therefore very clear for all to see that our policies
are working. Progress is gradually being made in all parts of the country,” he
said.
The President thanked the Founder of BUA Cement, Abdul Samad
Rabiu and the entire team for the great work they are doing in supporting the
government’s economic diversification and job creation agenda.
He noted that the company, which has completed four new
cement plants of similar capacity in the last five years in different parts of
the country and is set to complete two more plants soon, had shown through
these investments that they believe in Nigeria and its potential.
Commending BUA and other entrepreneurs for making Nigeria self-sufficient
in cement and a net exporter of the strategic product, the President said: ”I
am pleased that through these investments, BUA Cement has created employment
opportunities for our citizens. Today, BUA is the largest employer of labour in
the North-West region.
“I always remind Nigerians that every region, indeed every
State, in Nigeria sits on huge reserves of resources. For example, in this
area, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara can boast of rice production, gold and other
precious metals development and of course, heavy industries like cement
manufacturing.
“As a Government, we introduced policies and mechanisms to
support such investments in a legal, ethical and inclusive manner.
“For example, we have the National Food Security Council on
Food Security Matters and the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development
Initiative to develop local artisanal gold mining and ensure health and safety
of mining workers and protect the environment.
“We remain prepared to support serious investors to set up
businesses that will take advantage of these opportunities through value
addition so as to take advantage of the huge market here, as well as in the
greater African region and the world at large.”
Highlighting other efforts to bring even development to all
parts of the country, the President expressed confidence that the
Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas project, when completed, will bring gas for
domestic and industrial purposes from the South South region to the South East,
North Central and North West Geopolitical zones.
He said the AKK project would significantly reduce cost of
operations for industries in the regions.
The President also used the occasion to reassure Nigerians
that his government would continue to invest heavily in roads and rails to ease
movement of people, goods and services, with a view to facilitating trade while
lowering logistics costs associated with the inefficiencies of bad roads and
bridges.
On security, President Buhari reiterated his commitment to
bring peace and stability to all parts of Nigeria, listing a raft of measures
undertaken by this administration to ensure that normalcy returns to the
country.
“We continue to recruit and equip security personnel while
expanding our social investment programs to support the youth and some of the
most vulnerable members of our communities.
“You should all be reassured that we will win this battle
against the criminal elements looking to destabilize our nation by hindering
the progress of our economy.
“I want to now call on all entrepreneurs and businesses to
emulate what is being done here.
“The task of nation building requires all hands to be on
deck. The public and private sectors must collaborate if we are to achieve our
aim of collective peace and prosperity across the entire nation.”
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman, BUA Cement, who commended the
President for creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive,
acknowledged the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its Governor
in setting up the gigantic project.
He announced that, ”so far, we have invested over a billion
dollars in the past four years and we urge the CBN to continue to support
industries like ours that use locally sourced raw materials to add value.”
He pledged that BUA would continue to invest more in the
cement industry until Nigeria is self-sufficient and the commodity is made
available, accessible, and affordable for all Nigerians.
“In the past 6 years, we have completed 4 plants – two in
Obu, Edo State and two in Sokoto (of which this Sokoto line 4 is the fourth)
with BUA’s total production capacity now standing at 11.5million tonnes with
the completion of this plant.
“Next year, we intend to complete the construction of two new
plants of 3 million metric tonnes each for which construction is ongoing – one
in Edo and the other, here in Sokoto,” Rabiu said.
Rabiu added that he looked forward to President Buhari
commissioning the plants next year which will bring total production capacity
to 17.5million metric tonnes.
0 comments:
Post a Comment