Nigeria has not imported cement in 9 months —CMAN

Posted by admin Headlines Monday, October 1st, 2012

The Federal Government’s resolve to make Nigeria self-sufficient in cement production has, so far, yielded positive results, as the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN) has stated that Nigeria has not imported cement since the beginning of the year.

Speaking at a forum in Calabar, Cross River State, at the weekend, president of CMAN, Mr Joseph Makoju, lauded the Federal Government for policies that have prevented the dumping of foreign cement in the country, thereby, protecting local industries.

“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, there has been no cement importation since the beginning of the year.

This is because the local cement companies have been able to rise up to the challenge, hence there has been no scarcity. As at today, daily production of cement is even in excess of sales and they are in the process of formalising the exportation of cement to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other neighbouring countries,” Makoju stated.

Makoju also said the local production of cement in Nigeria was expected to hit 17 million tonnes this year, addng that the production of cement increased from two million tonnes in 2002 to 13 million as at last year.

The CMAN boss further stated that the focus of cement companies in the country was not just how to make enough cement for the people, but also to develop human capacity in the industry.

“Nigeria will be exporting cement to neigbhouring countries very soon, just as it is doing with crude oil. With the heavy investment in cement manufacturing and with the new plants coming up in the country, there is the need to invest in human capital development,” he stated

-Tribunewp_posts