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To achieve the
objectives of the Federal Government concerning the ban on
importation of explosives to the country, the present
administration has pledged her support for local
manufacturing of explosives for the economic growth of
Nigeria.
This hint was dropped
by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Musa
Mohammed Sada during his working visit to Intra Chem
Limited, a manufacturer of explosives in Obada Oko, Abeokuta,
Ogun State, as part of his working tour to the South West
Zone of the Mines field.
The Minister said “if
we can reduce the number of quantities of explosives that
are imported from abroad and try to encourage local
manufacturing, it will be for the good of our economy”
Arc. Sada said the ban
and control on importation of explosives to the country
which indirectly affected the mining operations particularly
quarry sites called for the effort of the Federal Government
at encouraging the local production of explosives.
According to him “if
we get too critical with importation and putting a lot of
control, that can also affect the activities of the industry
and what alternative do we have, local manufacturing of
course, so these are some of the reasons why we show
interest in your activities”.
The Minister lauded
the operations of Intrachem Limited at producing explosives
for mining activities, urging the company to brace up for
the challenges of producing the required explosives locally
which will assist in sustainable development of the nation’s
economy.
The Minister added
that the present administration was hopeful of advantages
the local production of explosives have over imported ones
in terms of standards and control.
He said “But we ensure
in our country we keep to all the required standards, there
are organizations that go around to ensure that all
standards are maintained and this gives us hope that we are
better of producing what we need as far as explosives are
concerned in our country”.
He enjoined the
company to continue the good works, adding that the Federal
Government was ready to render any assistance at improving
the wellbeing of the company.
Earlier in his welcome
address, the Managing Director, Intrachem Limited, Mr.
Adetokunbo Martins who was represented by the Director of
Operations, Mr. Abiodun Abu said the company which is owned
by a Nigerian commenced production of explosives used in
mining, building and oil industries in 2006.
He added that the
company which among others was meant to meet peculiar needs
of the nation’s mining industry, has an annual production of
15,000 tonnes of explosives.
The Managing Director
who lauded the Federal Government for her support to the
company said the company is currently partnering with
foreign engineers to train its local crop of engineers.
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