Sokoto Cement nears completion of new $300 million plant

By Olasunkanmi Adebola

 

BUA Group’s cement subsidiary, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) expects its new 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum cement plant to be completed before the 3rd quarter of 2017.

This was made known by the Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA Group and Chairman of CCNN, Abdulsamad Rabiu, during a working tour of the plant by the Honourable Federal Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Speaking during the visit, Abdulsamad Rabiu said that the 300 million dollars project which began a few years ago, is the first expansion of the plant since 1986 which BUA group took over majority shareholding in 2010.

He also informed the minister that the Group has discovered coal in commercial quantities which it intends to use as fuel for a 40MW power plant being constructed as part of the project. This new cement factory will can use both Coal and LPFO will source its power needs from the plant with the excess power generated to feed to the National grid.

According to Rabiu, BUA’s $300 million investment in the new plant is the single largest private sector led investment in the entire North West Nigeria.

He also highlighted the plant’s export potential with it being 100kilometres to the border with Niger Republic and 200kms to the border with Benin Republic. Which according to him, will help the country earn much needed foreign exchange and diversify the economy further.

In his response, the Honourable Minister, Dr. Fayemi commended BUA Group and Sokoto Cement for their contributions to various areas of National Development whilst stating that CCNN is the second-largest employer of labour in Sokoto State – second only to the state government. He commended the company for successfully exploring for coal in the Sokoto area and reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to support sustainable investments in the solid minerals sector which will in turn have immense positive impact on Nigeria and Nigerians.