By: Osuji Byron, Opara Chinazum
The Abia State office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has called on industry stakeholders to actively engage in the forthcoming Africa Raw Materials Summit scheduled for May 20th to 22nd 2025, emphasizing its importance in shaping the future of local industrial development and sustainable raw materials utilization across the continent.
This appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mrs. Oji-Nnorom C.G., and her team to the headquarters of Ideal Sustainable Concepts Limited (ISCL), located along the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway in Ubakala, Umuahia South Local Government Area.
The visit, aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Council and private sector players, also served as a platform to discuss the strategic significance of eco-friendly construction solutions. ISCL, a local manufacturer of sustainable building materials, presented its ongoing efforts in producing affordable, fire-resistant bricks and interlocking tiles using indigenous raw materials such as laterite and mud sand.
Mrs. Oji-Nnorom commended ISCL for its innovative approach to eco-conscious construction and emphasized the relevance of their participation in the Africa Raw Materials Summit. According to her, the summit offers a unique opportunity for businesses like ISCL to contribute to continental discourse on maximizing local content and raw material processing.
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She also revealed that RMRDC is pushing for the passage of a legislative bill that would mandate a minimum of 30% value addition to Nigeria’s raw materials before export. “This bill is critical to reducing the outflow of unprocessed resources, stimulating local industrialization, and reducing reliance on imported goods,” she said.
Responding to the visit, Mr. Emeka Onyeukwu, Manager of ISCL, reiterated the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and local resource utilization. He highlighted a disparity between ISCL’s production capacity and current output levels, citing high diesel prices and erratic electricity supply as major constraints.
“Our plant has the capacity to produce 6,000 bricks daily, but we are only achieving 1,500 due to energy challenges. Access to stable 33kV electricity would greatly enhance our operations,” Onyeukwu stated.
He appealed to RMRDC to advocate for infrastructure support and policies that would empower manufacturers like ISCL to expand operations and reduce construction costs through the use of eco-friendly materials.
As preparations for the Africa Raw Materials Summit gain momentum, both RMRDC and ISCL reaffirmed their commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and industrial growth through strategic partnerships and policy engagement.
