Osinbajo commissions BUA Group’s $1bn ultramodern cement factory in Okpella, Edo State

BUA Group, one of Nigeria’s largest conglomerate, has unveiled its 1billion dollars Obu Cement factory in Okpella, Edo state at a commissioning ceremony performed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The Vice President at the event, also performed the groundbreaking of a 3million metric tonnes second line within the same complex.

In attendance at the event were the Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki; the Governor of Kano state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Immediate Past Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah; Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh; the Emir of Kano, HRH Lamido Sanusi II; the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, CEOs and Captains of Industry amongst other dignitaries

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu said the commissioning of the over US1billion complex comprising of the 3 million tonnes BUA Cement, Obu Plant line 1 and the ground breaking of the second line of the same capacity was an important milestone for BUA Group, the Cement industry and the Nigeria economy as they will not only make the country self-sufficient in cement production but also a net exporter of the commodity.

The foremost industrialist noted that the construction of a second cement plant line of 3 million tonnes was essential as the success and impressive efficiency of the Obu cement plant in its first year of operation was over 90 percent of capacity utilisation.

According to Rabiu, “This marks an important milestone, not only for the BUA Group but also for the Nigerian cement industry and the Nigerian economy in general as we witness the official commissioning of the 3 million tonnes Obu cement plant, as well as the ground breaking of the second line of 3 million tonnes plant.”

“Today’s event has witnessed the commissioning of one of the best cement plants anywhere in the world. It is engineered to be the most environmentally friendly cement plant in Africa with the most advanced duct emission systems. We also use natural gas, which is a very clean energy for both our kiln as well as the power plant in addition to having a very green environment.

“Similarly, BUA has started the construction of another greenfield cement plant in Sokoto State with an annual capacity of 1.5 million tons at a cost of over $300 million which will be commissioned in 2018.

“Additionally, our investments in the 2 cement lines in Edo State represent the largest non-oil and gas related investment in the whole of the South-Southern region of Nigeria. With these, BUA will have invested over $2 billion dollars in the Nigerian cement industry with capacities in excess of over 12 million tons per annum within the course of a decade”, he affirmed​.​

Abdulsamad Rabiu mentioned that the over 10 years Nigerian integrated cement manufacturing policy which has transformed the country’s cement industry is a signal that Nigeria is closely attaining self-sufficiency in cement production and net exportation.