Cement giant BUA takes over Dangote’s territory in north central Nigeria

BUA, cement giant and major rival to Dangote in Nigeria is believed to have set sight on Kwara, a territory where his main rival hightailed from nearly decade ago.

Kwara, a north central, has always held its allure for industrialists but as yet failed to fulfill this potential on account of high cost of setting up business prevalent in Nigeria.

But the company’s presence in the state might well signal an end to all the bad mojo.

BUA will be a signature investment in the ongoing Eiyenkorin Industrial park, Asa, a suburban municipality outside Ilorin, state capital, currently being built by the state government.

“BUA is just one of the big industry we expect here,” said AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara.

But before the announcement on Thursday, BUA had established presence in Bacita, a town north in Kwara, taking over a moribund sugar corporation.

The company has also undertaken a tax rebate program where he undertakes to build infrastructure in Kwara for federal tax concession.

These moves made possible by the state governor appear to be missing linking in the past that put investors at bay.

Since becoming Governor of the state in 2019, Andulrazaq has set sight on changing the economic base of the state from being civil service driven to that of being driven by industrial production.

Most states in Nigeria are referred to as civil service state based on rentier system where oil money from Abuja is shared to the three tier of government in the country.

The system only fuels indolence and corruption.

Abdulrazaq on Thursday paid supervisory visit to the Eiyenkorin industrial park and expressed satisfaction at the rate of work.

“This is phase one of the industrial park.

“Already, we have some investors who have indicated interest.

“On Wednesday, a company came around for the prospect of building a CNG (compressed natural gas) conversion plant to provide gas for cars.

“BUA is also coming in as it already indicated interest in production here,” the governor told newsmen.

According to the governor, the development would change the economy of Kwara from what it used to be.

“This is really a catalyst for development in the state.

“The key things to expect are economic expansion, job creation, and IGR drive.

” We are very optimistic that very soon, this place will be fully occupied,” he said.