The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a technical committee to review the implementation of the current Backward Integration Policy (BIP) and formulate a new policy direction for the nation’s cement industry.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Samuel Ortom,  inaugurated the committee in his office in Abuja.

The Tide reports that the 14-member committee is headed by Mr Joseph Makoju, who is the Chairman of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN).

Members of the committee are drawn from industries, ministries, departments, agencies and other stakeholders committed to the cement industry.

“The committee will ensure a new policy direction that will build on the success story of the BIP to enhance efficiency and global competitiveness of the nation’s cement industry,’’ Ortom said.

He said the BIP, which was adopted in 2002 by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had achieved its primary objectives and there was the need for a new policy direction.

“The achievements include the creation of two million jobs, and an increase in installed capacity from three million metric tons per annum in 2002 to about 28 million metric tons per annum in 2012,’’ the minister said.

He added that BIP had also attracted over six billion U.S dollars investment into the cement sector and saved over 210 billion U.S dollars foreign exchange previously spent on cement importation.

Ortom said the implementation of the current policy had made the cement sub-sector the major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) under the manufacturing sector.

He outlined the objectives of the envisaged new policy to include robust promotion of cement consumption and adoption of pricing structure to reduce the price of cement.

“Others include the promotion of cement exportation and the enhancement of skills development and innovation in the industry,’’ the minister said.

Ortom also listed nine terms of reference to guide the committee in “the smooth and timely conduct of its assignment’’.

“They include carrying out a case study of the economic impact of the current policy so far on jobs created, taxes paid to government and foreign exchange savings.

“The committee is also to propose strategies, plans and programmes which will enhance the competitiveness of the cement industry internationally.

“It is to further propose strategies or measures which will increase the consumption of cement in the country, and develop an effective export strategy for cement, among others,’’ he said.

Mr Lanre Opakuke of Lafarge Cement/WAPCO Nigeria Plc, who responded on behalf of the committee, expressed the commitment of the members to the formulation of “a clear policy for the industry’’.