…Says physical presence will prevent imitation and adulteration
By Omolara Akintoye
In furtherance of its commitment to excellence, long term collaboration and the development of Energy sector, Sigma Coatings Nig.Ltd. has commissioned a new facility at Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
Speaking at the launch, the Chairman, Sigma Coatings Nig. Ltd. Robert Agbede said the new facility is the company’s commitment to excellence and it intends establishing additional distribution centres in key strategic locations across the country.
Chairman Sigma Coatings Nig. Ltd. Robert Agbede flanked by Mr Abdul Razak Isa unveiling the Port Harcourt facility
On the new facility he said: “In the past we used to ship most of our products from Lagos where our factory is located for over 20 years. But we see the need to be closer to our customers.
“Our physical presence here implies guarding against imitation and adulteration and subsequently we intend having a full production here for the South/South not less than what we have in Lagos and any other places where we have our branches, so that our customers can enjoy premium quality”, said Agbede.
As a way of giving back to the community, Agbede affirmed that a Foundation has been launched earlier this year as a way of investing in Nigerian universities.
This is part of our goals to do in the nearest future in communities where we produce, plans are underway.’’
Giving a brief background of his company, he said: “Sigma Coatings Ltd is a leading manufacturers of protective and marine coatings for over 20 years and the new facility here in Port Harcourt is a celebration of another milestone in its journey of producing cutting edge products and services.’’
Agbede who had spent many years in the U.S recalled how he was invited to be part of PPG where he started as a minority shareholder and became 100 percent shareholder overtime.
Explaining further he said: “Ever since, I have invited many other Nigerians to join. In other words I have fully invested in this region and I will like to see the region thrive’’.
Agbede however appealed to government to provide maximum security in the region.
On her part, the Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Lead for Special Projects, Sigma Coatings Nigeria Ltd., Oluwaseyi Ajai affirmed that the new facility is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to the region where they get about 80 percent of their customers.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Walter Smith Group, Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa commended Agbede, describing him as someone committed to growing the Nigerian economy.
“After having lived and invested in U.S several years, Mr Agbede is committed to the development of the energy sector and this will add to the development content of this country being a full indigenous company” he said.
Speaking about the implication, Isa noted “This no doubt shows that the policies of Nigerian govt. is working, we are beginning to see the positive impact of the federal government in the sector because it’s attracting new investment into the country in the downstream sector and we expect to see more. In my view I’ll say the President’s reformed program is working, it might take time for to us to see the impact but ultimately if we maintain consistency in the implementation of this policies, we are going to see a great turnaround in the sector and the overall economy” Isa concluded.
