Stakeholders urge reforms to drive ceramics industry

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s ceramics industry have called for the creation of an enabling environment to drive the growth of local ceramics industry. They say there must be private-public sector synergy to develop low-cost technologies for ceramics raw materials processing and production, while also calling on the Federal Government to establish ceramics institutes.

The stakeholders also resolved to set up a committee from among participants to develop strategies to getting the youths embrace ceramics science, engineering and technology as career.

In a communiqué signed after the just-concluded first international ceramics trade fair by Patrick Oaikhinan, CEO, Epina Technologies Limited, stakeholders say there should be legislative bills on ceramics development in the country, while the bill should be backed by expeditious passage.

The stakeholders that also participated in the two-day event include Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dangote Group, Lafarge Cement, Frontline Ceramics Limited, among others.

“There should be a road map for the promotion of ceramics training and manufacturing business in Nigeria,” the communiqué said.

The stakeholders enjoined the upcoming committee to interface with relevant authorities to get ceramics studies into schools curricula as part of a holistic process of getting youths to embrace ceramics science, engineering and technology.