The Importance of Raw Material in the 21st Century Industrial Locations: A Studyof 9th Mile Area in South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study focused on the relationship that exists between raw material and industrial location in order to determine the pulling effect of raw material at the 9th Mile area in the south eastern part of Nigeria within 21st century. In this study, 160 employees of the 32 industrial plants, and the management of the 32 studied industrial plants formed the study population. Data were collected through questionnaire, guided interviews, documentary materials, and field observations. The data were analysed using percentage, graph, Alfred Weber’s Material Index (M.I.) method, and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analytical technique. The results of the analyses show that in the study area, industrial raw material is sourced locally and from the foreign countries like USA, Brazil, and Republic of Ireland (Europe). Four (4) or 12.5% industrial plants that source for some of their raw materials outside Nigeria are mainly the multinational corporations (including Nigeria Bottling Co. Plc.; 7 Up Bottling Co. Plc.; and Nigerian Breweries Plc.), while a domestic industry includes, Sharon Paints and Chemicals Co. Nig. Ltd. From the results, 15 (46.9%) industrial plants considered raw material weight (15.6%) and availability of raw materials (31.3%) in their location decisions at the 9th Mile area. Another feature is accessibility, and availability of transport facilities which made it easy to obtain raw materials from widely distributed sources across the study area. This contributed in the decision to locate 26 or 81.3% of the studied 32 industrial plants. Therefore, the study recommended that any industrial activity can locate in the area if it is not directly involved in extraction of raw material from the natural environment.