MEDIATRACNET
The consistent policy by the BUA Group to build more cement manufacturing plants in different parts of the country has helped bridge the deficit between demand and supply of the commodity, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
The President who spoke at the State House, Abuja, while receiving a delegation from BUA Group, led by the Chairman, Abdul-Samad Rabiu, applauded the company for its strides in the cement industry in the country.
In January, the President was in Sokoto to inaugurate the 4th cement production line of BUA Cement designed to ensure further availability of cement across the country.
The huge deficit between demand and supply (about three million tonnes) has recently contributed to the significant rise in the price of the commodity currently selling for about N5000 per bag.
But receiving the delegation from the BUA Group who was on a “thank you visit”, President Buhari said: “I want to congratulate you on your success, and I thank you for mobilizing senior members of your Group to come and say thank you to me.
“Your consistent policy of establishing new cement manufacturing plants in different parts of the country has helped bridge the deficit between demand and supply. This is remarkable. What you have done in bridging the gap of cement supply in the country is quite commendable. You have proven that the productive capacity of a country is very important.”
Earlier, the Chairman of BUA Group, Rabiu told the president that apart from the Sokoto plant the company was currently building more cement manufacturing factories in two different parts of the country, which would contribute about six million additional tonnes to cement supply in the country.
“Mr President, we are here to thank you for your presence and commissioning of our Line 4 production. Your presence sent a strong message of commitment to industrialisation of our country.
“Like you often say, we need to add value to what we produce with locally-sourced raw materials, and we remain committed to it. We are ready to work with the Federal Government, and all other relevant stakeholders.
“The consistent effort of the government in supporting local capacity has helped us a great deal in what we are doing,” Rabiu said.
The BUA Group Chairman said the support of the president for Nigerian enterprise was unflinching, “and we are encouraged to add more value.”
He further thanked the President for what he called his “forthrightness, vision, and passion for Nigeria.” (NAN)
