Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu flanked by the Project Manager of the Ire Burnt Bricks Factory, Mr. Biodun Adedeji (left) and the Special Adviser, Deputy Governor's Office, Hon. Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, during her visit to the factory in Ire-Ekiti.
With an annual capacity to produce 20 million units of blocks, the Burnt Bricks Factory at Ire-Ekiti, Ekiti State will resume operation next month, it was learnt yesterday.
The plant, jointly owned by Oodua Investment and Ekiti State government is being refurbished to compete with conventional brick molders in the Southwest and Northcentral.
Already, the state government has indicated to patronize the products of the factory – burnt bricks for its building projects, including public schools.
State Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adelabu dropped the hint yesterday during an on-the-spot assessment of the rehabilitation of the multi-million naira factory located in Oye Local Government Area of the state.
After tour of facilities, guided by the project manager, Mr. Abiodun Adedeji, the deputy governor said the resuscitation of the moribund factory was in tune with the radical approach of the Governor Kayode Fayemi to enlist Ekiti on the industrial map of Nigeria.
Besides, she said the factory, when operational, will provide employment for the teaming youths thereby reducing rural-urban drifts and brain drain which the government has been battling to reverse.
She disclosed that the purpose of her visit was to ascertain the completion level and the production capacity from the appropriate quarter because the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), an agency under her supervision, would patronize the bricks from the factory for the perimeter fencing of public schools and for the construction of government projects.
Adelabu, who expressed satisfaction at the level of completion, urged handlers of the project to expedite action to deliver the project on schedule, saying the factory will also boost the state economy.
Mr. Adedeji, who took the deputy governor round the plant, put the level of work attained at more than 80 per cent, pointing out that the state government had invested N550 million money on the rehabilitation of the moribund plant.
According to him, the plant would offer about 300 direct employment opportunities, while several others would be engaged in one form or the other, when completed.
He also confirmed that factory will resume production next month even as he informed that expatriates are due in the state on Friday to handle the highly technical and mechanical aspect of rehabilitation.
The expatriates will also train local artisans who will operate the plant.
Last modified: October 8, 2013
