Indications emerged at the weekend that the federal government had stopped the issuance of license for the importation of cement in the last six months.

The chairman of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Joseph Makoju, who disclosed this at the 40th Annual General Meeting of the association, said the policy was aimed at encouraging local production of cement which has gone beyond the reach of Nigerians.

He said the policy has paid off as the country is currently producing 19 metric tonnes of cement per year.

He said if the policy is sustained and with the enabling environment, Nigeria will be one of the biggest exporters of the product in the world which will not only earn the country revenue but also bring down the price of cement in the country.

Makoju, who was the former Managing Director of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), also spoke on the power situation in the country saying that Nigeria should build more power stations in order to save it from perennial energy crisis.

Indications emerged at the weekend that the federal government had stopped the issuance of license for the importation of cement in the last six months.

The chairman of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Joseph Makoju, who disclosed this at the 40th Annual General Meeting of the association, said the policy was aimed at encouraging local production of cement which has gone beyond the reach of Nigerians.

He said the policy has paid off as the country is currently producing 19 metric tonnes of cement per year.

He said if the policy is sustained and with the enabling environment, Nigeria will be one of the biggest exporters of the product in the world which will not only earn the country revenue but also bring down the price of cement in the country.

Makoju, who was the former Managing Director of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), also spoke on the power situation in the country saying that Nigeria should build more power stations in order to save it from perennial energy crisis.

fm7070:
GEJ, is your head still upright??

clemmonce: it seems nobody is viewin dis topic. everybody don tire 4 naija

Rhino.5dm:
Dangote 1: Nigerians 0

This is fresh air!!!

Reference: Same with fuels. Why produce when you can buy. Who wants to take care of a damn cow.

fm7070: Government is revoking other company's licence so Dangote can make more money.
Why can't they give licence to other manufacturers.
Cost of the commodity is still very high because of monopoly
GEJ, is your head still upright??

Chyz*:
Hands down, Goodluck Jonathan has to be the dumbest president to ever walk the planet earth. The FG did not buy-out Dangote Cement so he is the one receiving the revenue and now has full control of the market. This means, like one of the posters said, Dangote 1: Nigeria 0

Retardeen has proven his cluelessness again.

tunapawizzy: I am so anti- GEJ but This seems to me like a good move...or am I missing something. Embrace made in nigeria goods. Strengthen local producers so they can expand operations n generate more employment for our people. More tax income for government too. A lot of indirect jobs provided..@ least if local cement factory expand its multiplier effect on d economy is huge.

DaLover:
Have you or any one you know being prevented from building your own cement factory?
Please give us the full details ....otherwise
[size=28pt]STFU[/size]

tunapawizzy: I am so anti- GEJ but This seems to me like a good move...or am I missing something. Embrace made in nigeria goods. Strengthen local producers so they can expand operations n generate more employment for our people. More tax income for government too. A lot of indirect jobs provided..@ least if local cement factory expand its multiplier effect on d economy is huge.

Dangote Receives Cement Monopoly THE GUARDIAN 4/24/03

Dangote gets concessions for cement production From Madu Onuorah, Abuja
THE Federal Government yesterday rolled out several incentives to an indigenous conglomerate, the Dangote Group, in its efforts to encourage Nigerians to invest locally. The business concession is to enable the company actualise an $850 million project involving the establishment of cement production plants in three locations in Nigeria.

[b] Minister of Transport, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, announced after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, yesterday that the incentives included the granting of pioneer status to the company in the area of cement production for seven years. This means that within the period, no new cement plant will be established in the country. Other incentives include the granting of 2.5 per cent duty on all plants, machinery and quarry equipment, exemption from payment of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all plant, machinery and quarry equipment and the payment of only five per cent duty on construction materials not available within the country.

In its request to the council for establishment of the plants in Ogun, Kogi and Cross River states, the Dangote Group requested from the Federal Government the following investment palliatives; pioneer status for 10 years; exemption of payment of duties on all plant, machinery and quarry equipment; exemption of payment of VAT on all plant, machinery and quarry equipment; exemption of payment of duties on construction materials not locally available; massive road construction at sites of the plant by the Federal Government, and; permission to import five million metric tonnes of bulk cement at a maximum rate of five per cent duties.[/b]

The three plants located in Ibesha, Obagana and Odukpani, are expected to produce 4.3 million metric tonnes of cement yearly by the year 2005. Maduekwe explained, "we are doing this to serve notice that this government is willing to support companies which are willing to vote (for the country) with their cheque books.

They need to put their money in their country. This is a government that is encouraging the business class. We are ready to do it forother companies as we did to Dangote". Other decisions of the council include the approval of a new energy policy for Nigeria and approval of a contract for provision of 2,000 telephone lines and 240 digital telephones to Gboko, Benue State. The contract is worth N130.6 million.

tunapawizzy: I am so anti- GEJ but This seems to me like a good move...or am I missing something. Embrace made in nigeria goods. Strengthen local producers so they can expand operations n generate more employment for our people. More tax income for government too. A lot of indirect jobs provided..@ least if local cement factory expand its multiplier effect on d economy is huge.