Bwari Assures FG
Bwari Assures FG Commitments to Ceramics Industry,
Unveils Royal Marbles
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Honourable Abubakar
Bawa Bwari has assured Ceramics Industry of government’s continued
supports.
He gave this assurance at the exclusive unveiling of Royal
Marble, a product of Royal Engineered Stones Limited. The event,
which he believed heralds an exciting time for the ceramics
industry in Nigeria and the Solid Minerals sector took place at the
Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.
The Minister congratulated the West Africa Ceramics company for
using such a unique technology, which he considered among the best
in the world.. He promised that the government would support all
efforts at adding value to whatever is mined or harvested in the
country.
He commended the determination of West Africa Ceramics for
continuing to operate in the face of adverse economic conditions
and their support towards the economic diversification efforts of
President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“The fact is that if this country must realize its dream of
economic diversification, the ceramic subsector has a crucial role
to play since the main raw material, clay, is found in every nook
and cranny of the country”, he noted. He condemned the continued
importation of ceramic wares in the country which he said has
resulted in loss of massive foreign exchange.
Bwari believed that the rebirth of the ceramics industry is key
to attaining economic opportunities and employment for Nigeria
teeming youth. He extolled the West African Ceramics for proving
that, despite the tough times, the policy of backward integration
in the Mineral sector is feasible.
He said the construction industry is growing globally and
rapidly because of the urbanization projects of emerging countries
and he believed that Royal Marble is set to take over the West
Africa market. “The success of this company has further encouraged
us to consider the policy of creating ceramic clusters in different
parts of the country, to promote economic growth and to also
encourage patronage from users through a local content policy”. He
expressed hope that the success of the Royal Marble product would
inspire further investments in the sector.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman, Royal
Engineered Stones Limited, Alhaji Lawal Idirisu, said in more than
three decades since he made debut in ceramic tile and sanitary ware
production, the Royal brand has become a phenomenon in the lives of
all stakeholders in the built environment.
He attributed the success of the stakeholders’ launch of the new
extension: Royal Engineered Stones Limited and consequently the new
product line- Royal Marble themed ‘Harnessing Engineered Marble for
Value Creation in the Built Environment’ to the immeasurably
supports received from Nigerians.
Idirisu said Royal Engineered Stones Limited is a wholly
indigenous brand manufactured in Nigeria, by Nigerians and for
Nigerians, bearing in mind the peculiarity of Nigerians as regards
appreciation for aesthetics and sophisticated finishing.
“At industry level, we have consistency tried to set and defined
standard, because our mission is to make Royal a portfolio of
building aesthetic in the art of finishing in style and to make it
a top priority and top of mind in the finishing stage of any
building project”, he emphasised.
While reiterating his company’s resolve to retain the inherent
attributes of quality, affordability and reliability that has been
its critical success factors in earning the trust of the
stakeholders over the years in Nigeria, Idirisu commended the
commitment of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for
encouraging investments in the production of marbles.
In his remark, the President of the Nigeria Institute of
Building, Bldr. Kenneth Nnabuife Nduka saw the launch as another
milestone in the foreign investment calculus for the exploration
and exploitation of locally available natural Mineral resources.
This he believed, would help to produce world class building
materials that would market the potentials of Nigeria economy and
serves as an added impetus for the implementation of the Federal
Government local content policy.