The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UniCem

  • Court affirms NAFDAC’s power to regulate chemicals

    Court affirms NAFDAC’s power to regulate chemicals

    The Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River, has held that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has the power to regulate all chemicals in Nigeria.

    Justice E. A. Obile held that the importation, exportation and use of all chemical are within NAFAC’s regulatory purview, including clinker, which is used in cement production.

    He delivered a judgment on a suit filed by the United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UNICEM).

    The plaintiff contended in a suit filed on September 22, 2011 that NAFDAC lacks the powers to regulate the import or export of Portland cement ‘clinker’ for not qualifying as a chemical as specified in NAFDAC Act.

    UNICEM argued that the word “chemical” as stated in Section 5(a) of the NAFDAC Act refers only to pharmaceutical chemicals.

    It said any attempt by NAFDAC to regulate non-pharmaceutical chemicals would amount to usurping the functions of other regulatory agencies.

    But, NAFDAC’s lawyer, Adedapo Tunde-Olowu, argued that its power to regulate and control the business and use of “chemical” was not limited to only pharmaceutical chemicals.

    Justice Obile held that based on Section 5(a) of the NAFDAC Act, the agency has powers to regulate use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals.

    According to him, the section provides that the agency shall “regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals.”

    The judge held that cement clinker was a chemical, adding that there was no ambiguity in Section 5(a) of the NAFDAC Act.

    Justice Obile said NAFDAC did not go beyond its powers and that any attempt by the court to state which chemical NAFDAC is to control or regulate would amount to amending the statute, which he said the court lacks the power to do.

    The judge, therefore, dismissed the plaintiff’s claims.

  • Youths force UNICEM to close shop over employment

    The United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM), a subsidiary of Larfarge Holcim in Mfamosing community, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, was shut down yesterday. Hundreds of youths of the host communities protested alleged marginalisation in employment.

    The protesting youths, from Akamkpa and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas, ensured the company remained closed as they blocked the entrance for hours, forcing many workers  to go back home.

    They alleged that the company has failed to implement the 80 per cent local content agreement it entered into with the host communities.

    In a response, the Director of Communication and Public Affairs of the firm, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, said: “I have heard all their complaints. I will take their messages back to the management of the company and we will get back to the host communities soon.”

    Youth Leader of Akansoko community in Akpabuyo, Bassey Effiong, said the youth had written severally to the company to consider them during employment and award of contracts, but their requests have yielded no result.

  • UNICEM abduction: Five released contractors injured

    UNICEM abduction: Five released contractors injured

    Five of the seven contractors of the United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM) who were released yesterday by their abductors were injured.

    They were workers of Macmahon Holdings Limited, a UNICEM contractor.

    Two of the five were seriously injured, according to the company.

    A statement yesterday by the company reads: “Macmahon Holdings Limited is relieved to confirm the release of all s even of its men, who were abducted near its operations in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on June 22. Five of the men have been injured; two of them seriously and all are currently receiving attention from a team of medical specialists.

    “The two uninjured men are also undergoing medical assessment. Arrangements have been made for the men’s safe return to their families, once they receive medical clearance to travel.

    “Macmahon’s Chief Executive Officer Sy van Dyk hailed the men for the courage they displayed throughout the ordeal, saying: ‘Our men have been through traumatic experience. We have mobilised medical and other support teams in Nigeria to provide immediate support. I also thank the men’s families for working so closely with the company during what has been an extremely difficult time for them as well. They too have endured an incredibly stressful experience.

    “The families have all been informed of the successful release of the men and have had the opportunity to speak to their loved ones. Our team has worked round the clock in locations around the world to bring them home. I am so proud of the dedicated and professional work they have done. While we are relieved to reunite the seven men with their loved ones, we are deeply saddened by the loss of the local driver, Matthew Odok, who was fatally injured during the initial incident.”

    van Dyk praised Nigerian authorities, which have worked closely with the company throughout the incident.

    “We are very grateful for the professional support we have received from the authorities on the ground in Nigeria,’ he said. ‘The assistance of local and federal agencies has been invaluable.”

    He also praised the efforts of the Australian, New Zealand and South African authorities and the company’s security advisors who have supported Macmahon’s crisis management team since the men’s abduction on Wednesday. ‘This has been an incredible team effort and our highest priority now is to finish the job by continuing to work together to get our people back safely to their families and homes,” he said.

  • UNICEM refutes report on relocation to Lagos

    UNICEM refutes report on relocation to Lagos

    The United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UniCem) in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has denied a local newspaper’s report that the company intends to relocate to Lagos because of crisis.

    The company’s Corporate Affairs Director, Mr. Ayi Ita Ayi, stressed that “the report is false, misleading and lacking in truth”.

    He said UniCem had no reason to relocate from Calabar, where it operated for years.

    The spokesman wondered why anyone should contemplate that the company, with such a huge investment in Cross River State, could relocate its assets elsewhere.

    Ayi said the newspaper did not crosscheck its facts before going to press.

    He urged the public to ignore the publication, adding that the report did not reflect the truth about the company.

  • UNICEM spends N9b on 20km road

    The United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM) in Cross River State has said the 20-kilometre road to evacuate products from their plant in Mfamosing, Akamkpa Local Government Area, without going through Calabar, the state capital, will cost N9 billion.

    UNICEM’s Managing Director Olivier Lenoir spoke at the weekend during the media tour of second line (Line II) of the plant and the evacuation road.

    The UNICEM chief said the road was 70 per cent completed.

    Lenoir said the project, which began in September 2010, was to cost N5 billion.

    The company chief cited variation in the cost of the project to include the construction of two bridges, 88 culverts, the use of concrete and filling of swamps to give the 7.3 metre span road a solid base.

    According to him, the road will enhance the company’s conveyance of cement products from its plant at Mfamosing to other parts of the state and beyond.

  • UniCem set to expand production

    UniCem set to expand production

    The United Cement  Company of Nigeria  Limited (UniCem) is building a new line to add about 2.5 million metric tons to its 2.5 million tons to ramp up production to five million tons by 2016, its Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Lenoir, has said.

    He said the firm had invested on the expansion plant, adding that the  project would give UniCem more flexibility in terms of product range.

    He stressed that the firm has over 30 per cent market share in the Southsouth and Southeast parts of the country.

    The firm also re-stated its commitment to providing sustainable and innovative cement and concrete solutions in the country.

    He spoke at a conference with Totally Concrete West Africa as its theme in Lagos.

    Lenoir said: “We are in the forefront of providing sustainable solutions on cement/concrete product and application to the building construction sector. Unicem has a strong commitment to the development of concrete technology, sustainable environment and skills of building professionals and artisans in Nigeria.’’

    He said the firm was looking at producing pozzolanic cement, using locally available pozzolana, instead of limestone, adding that it does not import any of its raw materials but are sourced 100 per cent locally.

  • Lafarge WAPCO to absorb UNICEM

    Lafarge WAPCO to absorb UNICEM

    Lafarge WAPCO Cement  has said it will take  control of United Cement Company of Nigeria. (UNICEM) to boost its market share.

    In a statement, the cement company confirmed that it has entered into an agreement with Flour Mills of Nigeria to purchase a 30 per cent stake in UNICEM.

    The deal will give Lafarge’s Nigerian Cement Holdings complete control of the country’s third-largest cement manufacturer. “Pursuant to the agreement, a first 15 per cent tranche would be acquired in the first quarter of 2015, while the second 15 per cent tranche is scheduled to be acquired by February 2016 at the latest,” Lafarge said.

  • Ebola: Firm donates thermometers to transport operators in Calabar

    Ebola: Firm donates thermometers to transport operators in Calabar

    The United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM) has donated infra-red thermometers to the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Calabar to help check the Ebola Virus Disease.

    Donating the items at the Etim Edem Motorpark, Corporate Affairs Director of the company, Mr. Ayi Ita Ayi said the gesture was also in line with their corporate social responsibility on health which is priority in their core values.

    He said, “Our objective is to reinforce the fight against the spread of EVD, which poses a threat to the health and safety of Nigerians, especially Cross Riverians. UNICEM has been working with other stakeholders to address critical health issues like HIV/AIDS diabetes, hypertension among others and we will not relent in our efforts.”

    The chairman of Calabar South Local Government Area, Mrs. Majorie Asuquo, lauded the company for the gesture.

    “We must be conscious and careful by checkmating all forms of our carefree attitude until EVD is declared extinct without any one in isolation anymore,” she said.

    The chairman of Calabar-South motor parks, Mr. Emmanuel Bassey thanked the company for the thermometers, saying besides making profit they have the people’s welfare at heart.

  • Lagos to Calabar rail line underway – Jonathan

    Lagos to Calabar rail line underway – Jonathan

    A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for the construction of a railway line from Lagos to Calabar, President Goodluck Jonathan has said.

    Speaking at the groundbreaking of the additional 2.5 million metric tons cement line put in place by UNICEM in Mfamosing, Akamkpa local government area, Cross River State, the President said the line will be extended to the famous Obudu Ranch Resort.

    Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, also said the 550Megawatt Calabar plant will soon be commissioned.

    The President said the contract for the dredging of the Calabar seaport has been signed.

    He described the groundbreaking as another milestone in the history of cement production in Nigeria.

    He said it was in line with the government’s backward integration policy designed to ensure self sufficiency in cement production.

    The President was impressed with the development, just five years after the company’s first 2.5 million MT plant in 2009.

    He attributed the development to the company’s operational efficiency and management.

     

     

  • Lafarge, Unicem sue SON over new standard order

    Lafarge, Unicem sue SON over new standard order

    Three cement manufacturing companies, Lafarge Cement WAPCO, Ashaka Cement and Unicem have instituted different suits against the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) over its recent pronouncement and plan to implement a new Mandatory Industrial Standard Order for cement manufacturing, distribution and usage in the country.

    The SON published a public notice restricting the application of 50kg 32.5R grade of cement to plastering only in syndicated adverts in some national newspapers on Wednesday, 14th May 2014.

    Lafarge WAPCO, AshakaCem Plc and Unicem are challenging this order, which they believe is, to all intents and purposes, aimed at the gradual phasing out of 32.5 cement grade, which has been widely known and used as general purpose cement from the market.

    Through the suits, the cement manufacturers are seeking the court to establish whether or not the respondents (SON) have complied with the mandatory provisions of the law for establishing new industrial standard in the introduction of the Commodity Composition and Conformity Criteria for Common Cements and Specification of Mandatory Industrial Standard NIS 444-1 2014.

    Thus the complainants are seeking through the courts, a declaration that the introduction of the Commodity Composition and Conformity Criteria for Common Cements and Specification of Mandatory Industrial Standard NIS 444-1 2014 by the Respondents (SON) without complying with the clear and mandatory provisions of the SON Act 2004 and other existing laws for doing so is unlawful, null and void. They are also seeking an order of the court restraining SON, their agents, privies and whosoever purporting to act through the respondents from enforcing and implementing the Mandatory Industrial Standard NIS 444-1 2014.