RMRDC rallies manufacturers, intermediate firms to NIRAM Expo 2014

With a view to enhancing local input content in the real sector, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has concluded plans to bring together manufacturers and firms that produce intermediate goods/raw materials to the second Nigerian Raw Materials Exposition 2014, NIRAM Expo 2014 for short. The event has as its theme, ‘Achieving Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan through Raw Materials Sourcing,’ and will be held at De Blue Roof, Lagos Television Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, between October 28 and 30, this year.

The essence of the event is to create a conducive platform for synergy among producers and users of raw materials as well as those involved in the value chain to enable them share experiences, showcase available solid mineral and agro-allied raw materials, while enhancing value creation and improving the manufacturing sector.

While calling on all raw materials makers and users to participate in what will be the assembly of sorts, Moyo Jolaoso, representative of Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, director-general/CEO, RMRDC, said the event had become necessary given the enormous role played by raw materials in the country’s development.

According to him, RMRDC had decided to spearhead the upcoming second NIRAM Expo owing to its commitment to creating a conducive platform for raw materials sourcing, facilitating raw materials procurement, compiling a compendium of available materials, among others, adding that Kano would be the next state to host a NIRAM event.

“We are also making efforts to have six other NIRAMs in other parts of the country,’’ he said.

Tokunbo Habeeb, state coordinator, RMRDC, said the success of the first NIRAM was an indication that stakeholders were willing to key into the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) of the Federal Government, adding that the forthcoming event would involve four key events that would run simultaneously. These events include exhibition, plenary or interactive session, master class and memorandum of understanding (MoU). During the master class, experts would demonstrate the use of two key raw materials – one agro-allied, another solid mineral.

ODINAKA ANUDU