Ebonyi Seals China Deal for New Cement Plant, Sets 24-Month Deadline

From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Government has announced that it has reached a bilateral agreement with a Chinese firm to establish a new cement factory in Nkalagu, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state, with the project expected to be completed within 24 months.
When completed, the proposed cement plant is expected to produce 6,000 tonnes of cement per day, translating to an annual production capacity of approximately 1.9 million tonnes.
The development was disclosed on Tuesday during a joint press briefing addressed by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Ikeuwa Omebeh, alongside the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Odoh, and the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Business Development, Chief Oguzor Offia-Nwali.
Omebeh described the agreement as one of the major achievements recorded by Governor Francis Nwifuru during his official trip to China.
According to him, “This is a far-reaching achievement recorded by Governor Francis Nwifuru during his visit to China.
“The Ebonyi State Government, under the leadership of Governor Nwifuru, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jiangsu Pengfei Group Limited, a Chinese company, in the presence of the Mayor of the host city, for the establishment of a new cement factory in Ebonyi State,” he said.
Providing further insight into the governor’s visit to China, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Business Development, Chief Oguzor Offia-Nwali, explained that the Memorandum of Understanding covers the engineering design, procurement, construction, production, and short-term management of the proposed cement factory by the Chinese firm before it is handed over to the Ebonyi State Government.
Offia-Nwali said the decision to establish a new cement factory followed the inability of the state government’s delegation to reach an agreement with the management of Ibeto Group over the moribund Nigerian Cement Company (NIGERCEM) in Nkalagu.
He noted that although Ibeto Group acquired NIGERCEM about 23 years ago, the company has yet to revive cement production at the facility.
“So, the state government is building its own brand-new cement factory—not within the NIGERCEM premises—but in Nkalagu.
“The governor has already taken significant steps in that regard. Let me also inform you that a delegation from Jiangsu Pengfei Group Limited, led by one of its executive directors, visited Ebonyi earlier. The governor personally took the delegation to inspect the proposed project site.
“The company subsequently carried out its own technical survey and assessment. To conclude the necessary processes, it became necessary for the state delegation to travel to China.
“For your information, the Chinese government was fully aware of our mission and provided considerable support by helping us identify the most suitable company to undertake the project.
“We are confident that the project will be completed within 24 months,” he explained.