Inuwa Yahaya Tells New Ashaka Cement Owners: Expansion Must Benefit Gombe Communities

By Auwal AHmad Umar

  Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has asked the new owners of Ashaka Cement Company to ensure that their planned expansion of production translates into tangible benefits for host communities and does not come at the expense of the environment.

Mr Yahaya made the demand on Monday when the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HBM Nigeria PLC, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, led the company’s executive management team on a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Gombe.

The delegation included the Managing Director of Ashaka Cement Limited, Ibrahim Aminu.

The governor said the proposed expansion of the cement plant presented an opportunity for the company to deepen its contribution to Gombe’s economic development through employment, local sourcing, community investment and stronger corporate social responsibility programmes.

“While profit maximisation remains a legitimate objective of businesses operating in a liberal economy, companies must equally recognise and fulfil their responsibilities to the communities and environment in which they operate,” Mr Yahaya said.

He urged HBM Nigeria PLC to sustain the goodwill enjoyed by Ashaka Cement in Northern Nigeria and use its strategic position to strengthen the company’s contribution to the construction and manufacturing sectors.

Mr Yahaya specifically raised concerns over the impact of heavy trucks associated with Ashaka Cement’s operations on roads around the plant.

He said some roads constructed by the state government had suffered damage as a result of heavy-duty haulage activities and urged the company to explore ways of supporting their improvement.

The governor also assured the new owners of the state government’s continued cooperation, saying Gombe would provide an enabling environment for responsible and sustainable industrial development.

Earlier, Mr Alade-Akinyemi disclosed that HBM Nigeria PLC plans to increase Ashaka Cement’s production capacity to two million metric tonnes per annum.

He said the expansion would create additional jobs while generating more business opportunities for transporters, suppliers and other operators within the company’s value chain.

According to him, the ownership transition followed the integration of Lafarge into Huaxin Building Materials Group, a global manufacturer of cement and building materials.

He assured the governor that the change in ownership would not alter the company’s relationship with Gombe State.

“Our commitment to the government and people of Gombe State remains steadfast and ironclad,” Mr Alade-Akinyemi said.

He added that the company would prioritise local content, strategic partnerships, community development and corporate social responsibility under the new ownership.

Mr Yahaya also urged Ashaka Cement to position itself to play a major role in the construction of the Gombe-Biu Super Highway.

The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for awarding the contract for the project, describing the highway as an important infrastructure intervention that would benefit Gombe and neighbouring states.

He said the expected use of concrete pavement on the highway presented an opportunity for Ashaka Cement to supply some of the materials required for the project.

“Ashaka Cement should position itself to supply the cement required for the construction of the super highway, particularly as the project is expected to utilise concrete pavement,” the governor said.

The governor further said the road project would improve connectivity, stimulate commerce and strengthen the operating environment for businesses and industries across the region.

Mr Alade-Akinyemi, in turn, commended the governor for what he described as purposeful leadership and efforts to promote infrastructure, economic and industrial development in Gombe.

He pledged that HBM Nigeria PLC would strengthen its partnership with the state government and increase its contribution to the state’s economy and the wellbeing of its host communities.

Building Giant HBM Nigeria Begins New Era, Backed by 10.5 Million-Tonne Cement Capacity

By Auwal Ahamd Umar

With an installed cement production capacity of 10.5 million metric tonnes per annum, HBM Nigeria Plc remains one of the largest building materials companies in the country, serving a broad spectrum of customers across the construction value chain.

The company operates cement manufacturing plants in Ogun, Gombe and Cross River states, alongside ready-mix concrete facilities in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, giving it one of the most extensive production and distribution networks in Nigeria’s construction sector.

Industry observers say the transition from Lafarge Africa Plc to HBM Nigeria Plc signals more than a change of name. It reflects the company’s ambition to deepen its role in supporting Nigeria’s infrastructure expansion, housing development and industrial growth while leveraging the technical expertise and global reach of its parent company, Huaxin Building Materials Group.

The new corporate identity was officially unveiled on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the company’s transformation journey and strategic alignment with its new shareholder structure.

In a statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor, the company said the rebranding underscores its commitment to delivering innovative building solutions while creating sustainable value for stakeholders.

As HBM Nigeria Plc embarks on this new phase, the company says it remains focused on innovation, sustainability and operational excellence, with the goal of creating long-term value for shareholders, customers and the wider Nigerian economy.

Speaking on the transition, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, described the new identity as a reflection of the company’s future-focused vision.

“HBM Nigeria Plc represents an exciting new chapter in our journey as a leading building solutions company. While our corporate identity is evolving, our commitment to Nigeria remains unwavering,” he said.

According to him, the company will continue to provide quality cement, concrete, aggregates and innovative building solutions that support infrastructure development, housing growth and industrialisation across the country.

Mr Alade-Akinyemi explained that the transition would be implemented through a phased process across the company’s nationwide operations to ensure seamless business continuity for customers, investors, employees and host communities.

The Chairman of HBM Nigeria Plc, Gbenga Oyebode, said the transition positions the company for long-term success while preserving the values and principles that have guided its operations for decades.

“We are confident that HBM Nigeria Plc will continue to create sustainable value for shareholders, strengthen stakeholder trust and deliver on its long-term ambitions,” he said.

The company noted that while the corporate identity has officially changed, the rollout of branding assets, operational integration and customer-facing communications will continue progressively across all touchpoints to ensure consistency and a seamless experience for stakeholders.

Formerly known as Lafarge Africa Plc, HBM Nigeria Plc is a member of the Huaxin Building Materials Group, a global construction materials manufacturer founded in 1907 and headquartered in Wuhan, China. The company is listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited and remains one of the key players in Nigeria’s building and construction industry.

Zulum Seeks NPA Partnership to Boost Borno Non-Oil Exports, Create Jobs

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has intensified efforts to diversify the state’s economy by calling on the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to expand support for non-oil exports from the state in order to boost foreign exchange earnings and create employment opportunities for young people.

The governor made the appeal during a high-level meeting with the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority in Lagos on Tuesday, where discussions were centred on unlocking economic opportunities and strengthening value chains for local producers and exporters in Borno State.

Zulum explained that increasing non-oil exports would not only improve internally generated revenue but also open up broader opportunities for businesses, farmers and entrepreneurs across the state.

Since assuming office in 2019, the governor’s administration has consistently pursued policies aimed at diversifying Borno’s economy while creating a safer and more attractive environment for investors and private sector growth.

During the visit, Zulum was received by the managing director and chief executive officer of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, alongside executive director Engr Ibrahim Abba Umar.

The governor’s latest engagement comes months after a similar strategic visit to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), where he advocated the speedy completion of the Maiduguri Dry Inland Port project.

The proposed dry port is expected to serve as a major economic hub for Nigeria’s Northeast region by bringing port services closer to businesses operating far from the coastal states.

According to the governor, the project would generate thousands of jobs, increase commercial activities and significantly reduce transportation and logistics costs for traders and manufacturers in the region.

He also noted that the facility would help decongest major seaports in Apapa, Calabar and Warri by easing cargo movement from the southern corridor to the northeast.

In another major economic initiative, the Borno State Government is pushing ahead with plans to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA) center in Banki, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Zulum disclosed that the process of establishing the free trade zone is already at an advanced stage, describing it as part of a broader economic transformation agenda for the state.

“By simultaneously advancing the Dry Inland Port in Maiduguri and the Free Trade Zone in Banki, the state government is putting in place a coherent strategy to industrialise the state, create jobs, generate revenue and permanently shift the economy away from overdependence on federal allocations,” the governor stated.