Jackson Ukevo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Ronchess Global Resources Plc, has a burning desire to build the firm into a world class construction company that will dominate the Nigerian construction sector, and ultimately compete in other countries. The “global” in its corporate name explains that international ambition. And like Archimedes, all that Jackson is asking the federal and state governments, and the private sector, is to give Ronchess the opportunity to exhibit its capabilities to deliver projects.
And thankfully, Jackson understands that the huge responsibility on the shoulders of his construction firm in changing the negative perception about Nigerian contractors, can only be discharged with its sterling performance.
At the groundbreaking ceremony of the Zamfara State Urban Renewal Projects, Jackson said “For a fact, Ronchess is an international brand because we have what it takes to compete on the global stage. We are definitely turning the tides around in the construction industry. Innovatively, Ronchess has changed road marking and traffic lighting system in all the cities and places where we have worked. Because of these innovations by Ronchess, other companies have started road marking in the country.”
Though the Ronchess CEO is very much aware of some of the reasons for the dominance of the construction industry by the foreign companies; which is not limited to poor execution of projects or cases of some contractors absconding with mobilization fees, he is nevertheless of the firm belief that the actions of these few unscrupulous contractors is not a justification to generalize and treat every local contractor as guilty and unworthy of patronage.
Jackson’s confidence that Ronchess Global Resources Plc has not only proven its competence, but has substantially changed the narrative about Nigerian contractors as lacking in capacity, is based on solid evidence. That evidence is found in the number of state governments and companies that have patronized the services of the company, and of clients that continue to reach out to them based on the projects that they have executed. There can be no better advert than this!
It’s remarkable that Ronchess, which initially started with mechanized road marking, design and installation of road signs; installation of traffic lights, and of intelligent traffic data and transport systems, before diversifying into road construction, has in just 15 years, become a major player and a force to be reckoned with in the construction industry. It must be stated that this feat has been achieved through competence, hard work and innovation, the hallmarks of Ronchess, and not because they are being done some favour due to the dearth of competent local companies.
In Nigerian parlance, Ronchess Global Resources Plc are giving older construction companies some serious assignment, because of its proven commitment to the highest industry standards; the introduction of cutting edge technology, environmentally friendly recycled materials, that have greatly increased the longevity and sustainability of roads, which has invariably led to sharp reduction in maintenance costs.
While other companies would have been contented having captured a modest share of the market, Ronchess Global Resources Plc is obviously not resting on its ‘modest’achievements. And it is quite understandable, considering the abundant opportunities that abound due to the massive infrastructural deficit Nigeria is faced with. Clearly, Ronchess Global Resources Plc has its eyes set on the huge Nigerian construction market, which was valued at over 140 billion dollars in 2022, though a child’s play when compared to the Egyptian construction industry that is estimated at 338 billion dollars, or the 1.36 trillion dollars United States construction sector.
For Ronchess, it’s very important that local contractors are involved in addressing the deficit, because of its importance to the Nigerian economy, both in terms of infrastructural development and job creation. Failure to, without doubt has grave consequences for the economy, which can’t be quantified. PatronisingRonchess is a win-win for the country. It must also be noted that, unlike the foreign companies, it has no need to export profit.
So, while Ronchess Global Resources continues to insist on a level playing field with the foreign companies, it understands the huge responsibility on its shoulders, which explains why for the company, every contract is an opportunity to register its capacity to deliver in the consciousness of the public, and thus making that much needed positive statement for local contractors.
In 2019, when Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State,embarked on his unprecedented urban Renewal programme, Ronchess Global Resources Plc was one of the main contractors that he counted on to help him deliver on the long overdue transformation of Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan metropolis. Without doubt, Ronchess gave a credible account of itself. It clearly over delivered to the satisfaction of the kaduna state government, people and indeed the millions of Nigerians who pass through the state. Kaduna, the old Northern Regional Capital, is not just a gateway to the north and south, but home to many prominent Nigerians.
Its execution of Sultan Way, Isa Kaita and the Zaria road projects have marketed Ronchess Global Resources Plc like no advert campaign can. When it completed Sultan road, which leads to the personal residence of former president Muhammadu Buhari under two months, it went viral because many people didn’t believe the feat could be accomplished,talk less by an indigenous company.
Ronchess Global Resources Plc is definitely making steady progress because it has carved a niche for itself as capable of working wonders. State governments and companies are entrusting their strategic projects that would have hitherto gone to the so called “big names’, to Ronchess, confident that Ronchess can surpass the “big names” in terms of quality, timely delivery and on budget!
It’s thus not surprising that DaudaLawal, governor of Zamfara State, a man of taste, who is equally in a hurry to change the ugly story of Zamfara State for the better, has entrusted the urban renewal programme of Gusau, the state capital, to Ronchess Global Resources Plc, based on its proven accomplishments in Kaduna and Kwara states where they have successfully delivered on several critical projects.
It’s remarkable that Ronchess has successfully delivered on several multi billion naira projects using Nigerian workers who are notorious for their poor workmanship. A feat that it has achieved by simply insisting on standards and rigorous training, because contributing to the economic growth of Nigeria is absolutely none negotiable for Ronchess.
To date, Ronchess Global Resources Plc has delivered a portfolio of over 100 projects across various states in Nigeria, that includes thousands of kilometers of roads, resurfacing and reconstruction of parking lots, lane marking, thermoplastic markings, junction improvements, private, commercial and construction of buildings, clear view fence and parameter fence construction and the first ever gentry bridge in Zaria, Kaduna state.
The company’s massive client base, which includes the Federal Ministry of Works, Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers, Delta and Edo, Enugu, Ogun, Niger, Kwara, AkwaIbom, Cross River, Oyo and Zamfara states, is a clear indication that Ronchess Global Resources Plc is on the road to achieving its global ambition to be “the standard reference point of a Nigerian company that can be counted on to deliver and proudly fly the Nigerian flag in other countries.
The listing of Ronchess Global Resources Plc on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, is a strong testament to its deep commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy beyond raising “cheap” funds. It also shows a willingness by the promoters to spread wealth by way of dividends to shareholders.
In addition to helping to bridge the infrastructure gap facing the country, a successful Ronchess will lead to the emergence of a Nigerian construction giant that will be able to compete and win big jobs on the global construction stage!
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