13th July, 2014
The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources says it is considering the utilisation of clay and local raw materials to produce ceramics and glass to increase employment and revenue generation.
The ministry made the disclosure on Sunday 13 July in Lagos a statement by its Permanent Secretary, Mrs Regina Obasa.
The statement explained that the ministry disclosed the plan at a capacity building workshop on ceramics manufacturing organised in Ikeja.
According to the statement, ceramic industry has huge potential for job creation, natural resources utilisation, poverty reduction and revenue generation, if fully harnessed.
It said that the state government was working toward developing the industry because of the huge availability of raw materials for it.
It added that the workshop was to jumpstart interest in ceramics production in the state as well as provide a roadmap to the setting up of a Ceramic Production Skill Acquisition Centre.
“The ceramic industry is a huge manufacturing operation that touches every facet of major industrial processes that needed to be harnessed to create jobs and wealth.
“Such is in the paint, pharmaceuticals, foods, computers, building construction, motor vehicles, electricity, power supply, electronic, iron and steel production, aeronautics among others,” it said.
The statement said Peter Oaikhenan, a renowned Professor of Ceramics Engineering and Chief Executive Officer, Epina Technologies Ltd, delivered a paper at the workshop on ceramics production.
Oaikhenan said the workshop was designed to equip people with skills and knowledge in ceramics manufacturing business, develop their capacities and enhance revenue generation for individuals and the state.
The professor attributed low investments in ceramics manufacturing business to lack of clear understanding of the meaning of ceramics and absence of interested people.
The statement explained that capacity building would address low investments and equip those ready to partner with the government in the development o a world class ceramics industry.
It noted that the gains of the Ceramic Skill Acquisition Centre included establishment of ceramics manufacturing business clusters in key areas to drive the industry productivity and competitiveness.
Other gains are training of youths and unemployed people in ceramics production, awareness of the exciting and challenging career opportunity that are available in the industry among others.