Jebba Paper Mill begins operation

The Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Wednesday flagged of commercial production Jebba Paper Mill Limited, Jebba in Moro Local Government Area of the state, just as he called for more liberal policies to stimulate industrial growth in the country. Performing the flag-off ceremony, the governor advocated the reduction of tariff on new materials to encourage more industries to spring up at the grass roots. According to him, “while we are addressing the issue of power, we must immediately look at the issue of tariff to compensate the industrialists for high cost of production and the stiff competition they face in foreign companies”.Saraki charged government at all levels to rise to the occasion, saying it is not just political leaders that are the problem of the country but “some of the policy makers need to do what is right. “A good example of this is the cement industry. For many years, what we did in Nigeria was importation of cement. If not because of the policy that was put in place, nobody would have invested a billion dollars in cement production. But because we protected the market, you see people have started to invest in cement production. “So, we need to address this area as a country and we at the Economic Council Forum we will bring it up again for debate. But the police workers at the level of ministries and parastatals need to sit up and address these issues,” he advised. The governor, who spoke of his government’s intention to establish cement factory in the state, disclosed that the feasibility study of the project has been concluded, adding that government would soon invite interested investors for the project. In his goodwill message, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Achike Udenwa, commended the governor for creating an enabling environment for investors in the state. The minister whose address was delivered by a director in the ministry, Mrs. Bendedictal Adejinle, disclosed that strategies had been mapped out by the Federal Government to revamp ailing industries across the country. The chairman, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Borondo, had in his address urged the Federal Government to create a level playing ground for local industries to develop. He advised the government to come out with good policies to encourage local investors, especially in the rural areas.The chairman, therefore commended the Kwara State Government for creating enabling environment for investors in the state. Also, the chairman of the state’s traditional council and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, praised the state government for opening up the state through public/private partnership. The chairman, Jebba Paper Mills, Mr. Surest Kumar Agrawal, had earlier in his welcome address enunciated reasons for reviving the company, adding that the company has come to stay with the support of the Kwara State Government and the good people of the state. He appealed to Federal Government to ban exportation of waste/scrap papers, saying that exporting such things amount to export of jobs and depletion of national wealth. He also called for rationalization of prices of basic fuel and offering special concessionary rates for buying LPFO and electricity which is essential for the survival of the mill. By Ahmed Ajiboye From The Herald 19/06/09

 

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