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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi Elders Council has backed Governor Francis Nwifuru’s move to establish a new cement factory in the state to replace the moribund Eastern Cement factory, NIGERCEM.
The elders said the governor’s plan to establish the new cement factory was driven by economic development and not political considerations.
Chairman of the council, Chief Ben Okah, stated this in Abakaliki while addressing journalists. Okah, who chaired the 15-member committee on the revitalisation of the moribund Nigeria Cement Company (NIGERCEM), in Nkalagu, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state, said the proposed cement factory was in fulfillment of Governor Nwifuru’s promise to the people of the state.
He said the new factory would create employment opportunities, stimulate industrial growth, and boost the state’s economy, adding that the committee recommended the establishment of a new cement factory at the NIGERCEM complex after reviewing the status of the existing facility.
He explained that the lease arrangement associated with the NIGERCEM site had expired and was subject to certain conditions, including community approval and proper utilisation of the land.
“The mining lease is for a period of three years. If somebody claims he has a mining lease, it has an expiration date and it comes with conditions. The community has to accept it. Even for renewal, the community has to append its signature,” he said.
Okah noted that the host community had become increasingly concerned over the prolonged abandonment of the facility, which had remained unused for many years despite its economic importance.
He said the Ebonyi State government was determined to establish a modern cement factory at the NIGERCEM site, adding that the project would contribute significantly to the state’s economy through job creation and industrialisation.
“There is nothing political about it. The governor has his political base, but this project is not about politics. It is a promise made to the people, and it is an economic promise because it will assist the state,” he stated.
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He assured that work on the project would commence soon, adding that the government was committed to ensuring its timely completion by the Chinese contractors.
Chief Okah explained that the new factory would be equipped with modern technology capable of meeting international standards.
He acknowledged that inadequate power supply remained a major challenge for industries in Nigeria, but disclosed that the Nkalagu project had made adequate provisions to address the issue.
“The issue of factories in Nigeria mostly comes with power problems. But, at the Nkalagu Cement plant, there is a power station that is supposed to power the facility. The contract package includes five megawatts of gas-powered electricity to ensure continuous operation,” he said.
He further explained that the project was structured under an arrangement in which the contractors would undertake the construction, transportation, site clearing, civil works, mechanical installations, and other necessary components before handing over the completed factory to the state government.
He said the expatriate contractors have assured the state government of the timely completion of the project to support Governor Nwifuru’s industrialisation agenda.
Okah also disclosed that the abundant limestone deposits in Nkalagu and neighbouring Effium were sufficient to sustain cement production for decades, thereby restoring Ebonyi State’s position as a major industrial hub.
“We have 50 million tonnes of limestone in Nkalagu and 23 million tonnes in Effium. When combined, they will sustain the factory for a minimum of 30 years,” he said.
He commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for his commitment to reviving abandoned projects and promoting sustainable development across the state. He maintained that the proposed new cement factory remained a strategic economic intervention that would benefit both present and future generations of Ebonyi people.
