Olusola Bello
An advance party of Chinese expatriates is on ground to prepare for the proper take-off of the $600million cement factory to be sited in Mopa, Kogi State by the Mangal Industries.
The expatriates are currently doing soil tests to enable them to locate places that are fit and proper for the construction of building infrastructure.
Already, over 200,000 hectares of land have been acquired for the purpose of the project, which is believed would positively impact the lives of the communities around there and Nigerians at large when the factory eventually takes off.
The marble belt from which the raw material would be mined starts from Mopa to Iluhagba, Ayetoro Gbede and Ekirin Adde in Ijumu local Government Area
Mangal Industries signed an agreement with a Chinese Firm, Sinoma, for the construction of a $600 million Cement Plant and 50 Megawatts Power Plant in Mopa, Kogi state.
The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Fahad Mangal had made this known in a statement issued last week
He said both the power plant and the cement factory would be completed in 2024, while the Chinese company will move into the site immediately to commence construction.
According to Mangal: “Mangal Industries has signed an agreement with a Chinese Firm, Sinoma for the construction of 3 million metric tons per year Cement Plant and 50 Megawatts Captive Power Plant in Mopa, Kogi State, to be completed in early 2024.
“The total project cost is approximately $600 million.”
He noted that the investment was part of the ambitious investment program under implementation by Mangal Industries Limited.
He stressed that Mangal Industries was investing strategically in the West African Cement Industry to enable the Nigerian economy bridge the huge infrastructure and housing deficit.
According to him, “This investment reinforces Mangal’s commitment to Nigeria’s infrastructural and economic development and reflects its confidence in the favourable outlook of the economy in the country and the region.”
Mangal noted that the factory would rely on the best available technology for cement production and in line with highest environmental standards.
He said the cement factory was designed to be one of the most sustainable in the sector.