The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has admitted United Cement Company of Nigeria as its member.
Speaking at the presentation of certificate of membership to UniCem in Calabar on Friday, Chairman of the Akwa-Ibom /Cross River states chapter of MAN, Mr. Ini-Obong Jackson, said MAN was established in 1971 to provide a national organisation for the protection and promotion of manufacturing industries in the country.
He noted that MAN’s interest was focused on promoting and protecting the collective interest of manufacturing industries, adding that membership was open to companies with more than 10 workers.
In his acceptance speech, Managing Director of UniCem, Mr. Olivier Lenoir, said the process of admission into MAN started since 2011, adding that the company understood the essence of being a member of MAN as a manufacturer of cement.
He stressed that UniCem would work more with local manufacturers, adding that the cooperation of MAN was needed to achieve this.
Also, UniCem’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Ayi Ita-Ayi, said his company’s membership of MAN was not canvassed for, saying it was his company’s statutory right.
Lenoir allayed fears by some manufacturers that there was glut in the cement market, assuring that there was ready market for its company’s new product (UniCem 42, 5) as it addressed specific requirements of customers.
He said, “It is for infrastructure, so this market is here in Nigeria. Infrastructure is really needed. We are confident that this product has its markets. We anticipate an increase of the consumption. We needed to provide this product.
“We have been working on it for a long time. Before, it was provided by importers. I think we will deliver good quality stable product that we are very confident. We have high ambition. It is necessary in Nigeria.”
He said cement consumption in Nigeria grew by 10.4 per cent annually over the last eight years to reach 18.5 million metric tons in 2012 from 8.4 million in 2004.
He said demand was expected to grow at an annual rate of nine to 10 per cent, and cross 40 million tons by 2020.
Marketing and Technical Assistance Director of the company, Mr. Vipul Agrawal, said, “We will be presenting our new product, UniCem 42, 5 to our various customers for specialized applications. This we believe is one of our efforts to meet the expectations of our customers in the infrastructure and commercial sectors.”