Mr Rasheed Adegbenro, the Acting Director-General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), on Friday said that local production of cement increased from 2.3 million metric tonnes in 2003 to 20 million metric tonnes in 2013.
Adegbenro, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, attributed the increase to the ban on importation of cement.
He said that production could rise to 40 million metric tonnes by next year if the ban was maintained.
Adegbenro said he was optimistic that Nigeria would become a net exporter of cement in the West African sub-region “if government will adequately protect the sector”.
He said the protection would enable new generation of Industries to thrive.
“China locked its doors against foreign imports for decades, until its industries became strong enough to compete globally,’’ he said.
The DG noted that the ban on other imported products like fruit juice had created employment opportunities as well as attracted more investors into the country.
“If you produce locally, you will employ more young Nigerian graduates.
“MAN mounted pressure on the government to ban the importation of fruit juice. Today, there are more than 40 companies producing fruit juice in the country,’’ he said.
Adegbenro called on the Federal Government to also ban the importation of produce in other sectors of the economy.
