29th August, 2017
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Tuesday described the commissioning of the multi-million dollar BUA Cement Factory, Okpella, as a consolidation of Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in cement and a big boost to the nation’s export capacity.
Osinbajo stated this shortly before commissioning the first phase and the ground-breaking of the second phase of the three million ton-capacity ultra modern cement plant, located in Okpella, in Edo State.
“I am extremely proud to be a Nigeria and so some of us here are. This is wholly Nigeria enterprise and to know that the plans, execution and successful establishment of this industrial complex was done by a Nigerian and by a Nigerian team. It is really great enough.
“The construction of this plant is of course, a big boost to the Nigerian economy, it will provide thousands of direct jobs and indirect jobs, both for skilled and unskilled workers from the commencement of the construction of the plant to the smooth-running of the operation processes.
“At the level of production obtain it also means the consolidation of the Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in cement and a big boost to our export capacity.
“I am happy to note that for the construction of power production facility for this plant, the BUA Group has used the most modern and efficient gas turbine which combines low and economically value-cost with a very high degree of reliability,” he said.
Osinbajo noted that the enterprise typified the expectations of the present government in the economic and growth recovery plans which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 05, 2017, where the President made it clear that Nigeria’s economic emancipation and growth must be private sector-led and driven.
“There is simply no public sector resources that can match the resources, drive and the commitment of a private sector. And for us as a government, doing all we can to encourage investment of this type, it is not just a good idea but a corner stone of our economy policy.
“Worthy of mention is that our focus on combating the identified constraints to go such as fuel shortage, adequacy of power, absence to foreign exchange, unfriendly business regulations, shortage of skilled manpower among others,” Osinbajo said.
He added that the present administration was working very hard with the Industrial Policy Council to evolve and implement well-considered solutions to business impediments and economic stagnation in Nigeria.
In his remark, the host Governor, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, said the event marked the real industrialization of the State.
“Today, we salute the foresight and patriotism of the founding fathers of Edo State who, in 1964, established the Okpilla Cement For, which later became known as Edo Cement Company Limited.
“I am all very delighted that this commissioning today is also very much at the heart of the strategic transformation of our State’s economy. A state where large scale industrialization driven by the private sector capital is happy to create economic empowerment and impacting lives.
“From the very onset of our administration, we promised Edo people that our change slogan was not mere rhetoric. From Agro-business and industrialization, through infrastructure to housing, education, science and technology we have never lost sight of the need to build a solid, productive and integrated economy with the interest of our people at the core.
“Our value for money approach has made some people uncomfortable, but I can assure you that our reforms and innovations will produce long-lasting results that will grow Edo economy that provide jobs and enhance our security,” he said.