Investor canvasses N900 million for restart of sanitary wares production

For a complete overhaul and turn-around maintenance that would ensure commencement of operations at the defunct Quality Ceramics Limited at Ikot Ebom Itam, Itu local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, a stakeholder has said that about N900 million is needed.

Barrister Uwemedimo Utip, a UK based private investor, who disclosed the figure recently said, such an amount is the only solution that the firm is having, for it to return to production.

Quality Ceramics Limited; once a thriving sanitary ware industry in the 1980s and the 90s was run aground by some individuals in the late 1990s and has been moribund for over three decades.

Utip, a business and Investment consultant who is also chief executive officer, Dimmo investment and manufacturing International limited made the statement at the weekend, in a meeting he held at the company’s premises, with the two host communities of the manufacturing firm: Ikot Ebom and Ikot Ekwere.

Briefing stakeholders of the two communities on the activities of his firm, Utip said appreciable strides have been made to ensure that the company is open for production activities as soon as possible.

He solicited the cooperation of the host communities towards the smooth revamping of the hitherto moribund ceramics firm.

He mentioned that when operational, the company would provide thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, assuring that members of the host communities, especially the Youths would be given first line consideration, according to their skills and competence.

He disclosed that his firm has already commenced the renovation and redesigning of the production areas, adding that his firm has equally acquired a 500Kva generating set that would power production activities, and that plans were underway to acquire additional 750Kva generating even as water supply was ensured.

He however, lamented the poor road network around the company and the abysmal electricity supply in the area, appealing to the relevant authorities to come to the rescue.

According to him: “We are spending the sum of N900 million in the whole process, and the money is sourced 100 percent from the private sector. My company Dimmo investment and manufacturing international limited is providing 75 percent of that amount, and the remaining 25 percent is going to come from my partners’ ‘.

Speaking, the village head, Ikot Ebom Itam, Chief Okon Usanga said that the coming of the firm was long overdue. He said that the meeting, to them, was a kind of revival in their long years of hopes and expectations.

He prayed for the speedy actualisation of the dream of the investor, and also pledged the support and commitment of the people of Ikot Ebom Itam.

Also, speaking, the village head, Ikot Ekwere Itam, Chief Sunday Mathew, applauded the investor for convening the meeting, which he noted was timely, urging the investor to carry the communities along in its activities.

Newsmen gathered that plans to revamp the moribund ceramics firm were part of efforts of the present administration to attract investors into the state.