Federal Government Begins Production Of Pencils In Nigeria

The Federal Government has started the installation of equipment and machines for the proposed pencil factory at the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu.

Naija News learnt that proposed production is set to produce a minimum of 15 million pencils per annum when completed.

Governing Board of PRODA, Mr. Daniel Onjeh, who revealed this in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the activities of the institute said that the PRODA school pencil project was a flagship and the first of such production facility in West Africa.

He added that the institute was working towards using local content, adding it had also diversified into the use of waste paper for its production.

Onjeh said: “The project is aimed at 100 per cent local content, including graphite, clay, wood and waste paper. We are expecting experts from China in October to install the machines that will produce pencils with waste paper.

“Pencils are in high demand, which is why we are emphasising pencil production. The pencil factory will create employment and also support the economic policies of the federal government.”

He further said that pencil production was not an easy venture, pointing out that getting a modern standard pencil involved about 125 steps. He said that the test run of the machines would be done before the end of the year.

He expressed joy that PRODA had been fully revived, saying that the board was committed to moving the agency forward. “One of the projects, which we are keenly seeing to completion is the Round House Project, which is the main edifice of the institute.