Less than six months after commissioning its 1.5million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) Kalambaina Cement Plant in Sokoto State, BUA Cement has announced completion of its newest Obu plant in Edo State, which has a capacity to churn out 3 million mtpa of cement annually.
This will bring the total capacity of BUA Obu cement operations to 6 million tonnes and move the entire group’s installed capacity to 8 million mtpa. A date for commissioning will be announced soon, according to a statement from BUA Group.
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Speaking at a business forum recently, Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and executive chairman of BUA Group – owners of BUA Cement— said that the completion of BUA’s Obu Cement second line puts BUA Cement in prime position to become Nigeria’s second largest cement producer by volume in the shortest possible time. “Through a strategic combination of BUA Cement’s newer, more energy efficient plants and the proximity of our factory locations to key regional markets across Nigeria, BUA Cement has in no time become the industry leader in capacity utilisation as well as maintaining a strong presence and brand leadership position in regional markets where it operates, “Rabiu said.
“The nature of the formulation of BUA Cement’s products and the product strength has seen it dubbed, ‘King of Strength’ by block makers and others in the construction industry in Nigeria,” he added. In addition, BUA Cement has also entered into a partnership with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to train thousands of block makers across Nigeria on the proper mix and techniques for block-making to reduce the rates of building collapse in Nigeria. The completion of the new 3million mtpa BUA Obu II Cement Plant will see BUA’s installed capacity rise to 8million metric tons by the time it fully becomes operational in December 2018. The plant has the capacity to run on multifuels – gas and heavy oils— and will give BUA Cement a stronger foothold in the South-South and South East markets in Nigeria where it has become the preferred brand of cement. By virtue of its location in Okpella, Edo State, BUA Obu Cement plants are five hours away from all the major markets across Nigeria.
BUA Group announced last year that it built a 50km pipeline to carry gas to fire its gas turbines at its Obu Cement Plant.
ODINAKA ANUDU
