Nigeria to Save N2.2b from Caustic Soda Production Yearly
 16th OCT 2006

As the economic reforms programme continues, the Federal Government can save about N2.2 billion yearly through local production of caustic soda. The Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Professor A. Onwualu, stated this at the investors’ forum in Lagos yesterday on the potentials of establishing a Chlor-Alkali plant in Nigeria.

At the event, which was jointly organised by RMRDC and ACE Chemical Resources Limited, to sensitise the public that Chlor-Alkali products can be locally produced commercially, Onwualu said most of the anticipated products from the would-be plant [Chlor-Alkali Plant] are being imported into the country at high cost. “For instance”, he said, “caustic soda or sodium hydroxide, which is one of the expected products of the Chlor-Alkali Plant, is one of the most important intermediate raw materials, whose usage cuts across virtually all the sectors of chemical, textile, pharmaceutical industries”.

According to him, in the last five years (2001-2005), Nigeria imported caustic soda valued at N11.5 billion, stressing that if the values of imported chlorine and hydrochloric acid are added, the total value is over N13 billion. He further stated that with the proposed plant, such huge sum will not be wasted on importation.

On why the project is being planned in collaboration with RMRDC, Onwualu said the council was willing to assist Nigerian industrialists. He said the council was primarily established to promote the development of local raw materials as industrial input, assuring that RMRDC “will be fully involved in this project and will also seek for government approval to hold a minimal equity.’’

He pointed out that under the council’s strategic plan for 2006 – 2009, most of its programmes and projects had been refocused towards meeting the challenges of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS).

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