Caption: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Centre Left) and Kabiru Rabiu, Chief Executive Officer, Starium Holdings and Group Executive Director, BUA Group (centre right) with officials of the State and Alaro City during a visit to the state-of-the-art Starium Detergent plant in Alaro City, Lagos.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Monday visited the Starium Detergents facility in Alaro City, Epe of the State, accompanied by his Commissioners for Commerce, Cooperatives and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebe; Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab; Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide; Special Adviser, E-GIS & Planning Matters, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; and Head of Service, Bode Agoro.
Others were the Chairman of Alaro City, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, who is also the DG of the Bureau of Public enterprises (BPE), and Chairman of Rendeavour (developers of Alaro City), as well as the Managing Director of Alaro city, Yomi Adeola.
The Governor was received by Kabiru Rabiu, Chief Executive of Starium Holdings, owners of Starium Detergent and makers of Rafa Detergents.
Rabiu, who is also a Group Executive Director of BUA Group, led the Governor and his team on a tour of the state-of-the-art production facility which is the second largest detergent plant in Nigeria. The plant also features the biggest spray tower in the country with 40m height and 7p.5m width, supplied by an Italian manufacturer known for quality and efficiency.
During the tour, Rabiu told his visitors that Starium began production in 2024 and the company has completed plans to kick-off the construction of the second production line within the facility.
According to him, “the recent exit of some multinationals in the detergent industry created a vacuum in the availability of quality detergents, which the local manufacturers have begun to step in to fill”.
He added that Starium will soon start exporting some of its products to the West African markets, appreciating the Governor for creating an enabling environment for businesses and manufacturers in the State whilst commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision and foresight in establishing the Lekki economic city.
Responding, the Governor commended Starium for citing the facility in Lagos and creating employment for numerous people of the State, expressing delight at the local manufacturers who are filling the gaps left by the exit of some multinationals.
“BUA Group’s decision to establish a new detergent production facility in Lagos underscores its commitment to deepening investment in the detergent consumer market. This proposed expansion will significantly enhance the company’s capacity to meet local demand.’’ he said.
