Ebonyi Proposed Cement Factory to Generate Over 3,000 Jobs

From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Government has said that the proposed Abakaliki Cement Factory, located in Nkalaku community, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state, is expected to generate more than 3,000 jobs upon completion, with construction projected to be completed within 12 months.

The proposed factory is also expected to have a production capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes of cement daily when it becomes operational.

The decision to establish a new cement factory followed the failure of Chief Cletus Ibeto to revive the moribund Nigerian Cement Company (Nigercem), which he acquired during the administration of the state’s first civilian governor.

The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Business Development, Hon. Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali, disclosed this in Abakaliki while briefing journalists on the achievements of his ministry.

According to him, the economic team of Governor Francis Nwifuru had made several attempts to engage the management of Nigercem with a view to reviving the company, but the efforts failed despite the state government’s commitment to the process.

“Governor Francis Nwifuru’s economic team had made several contacts with the management of the famous Nigercem, but all the efforts proved unsuccessful despite the sincere commitment of the state government.

“We agreed to share equally the estimated $1.6 million rehabilitation cost between the state government and the core investor in Nigercem. However, along the line, we uncovered some abnormalities. Consequently, the State Executive Council, in its wisdom, decided that the state should establish its own cement factory,” he said.

Offia-Nwali stated that Governor Nwifuru was fully committed to the new project, adding that work had commenced at the proposed factory site.

He expressed optimism that the factory would provide employment for approximately 3,000 people upon completion.

The commissioner, who reiterated that the state had moved beyond the uncertainty surrounding the proposed revival of Nigercem, maintained that the new cement plant would serve as a major catalyst for employment generation, industrial development and economic expansion.

Offia-Nwali disclosed that work on the project had progressed beyond the planning stage, with the government securing approximately 10,000 units of land, completing the factory’s design and commencing site clearance.

He added that geological exploration was ongoing to determine the quality and commercially viable quantity of limestone deposits required to sustain the proposed production capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes of cement daily.

“The design has been completed and approved. We have concluded the land acquisition process and are clearing the site. At the same time, exploration is ongoing to establish the locations and quantity of limestone deposits that will supply the factory with the raw materials required for production.
“Again, we are on course, and the cement industry will commence operations within the next 24 months,” he said.

The state government, which is partnering with a Chinese firm to establish the cement factory, is expected to manage the facility for one year after its completion before transferring operational responsibilities to Nigerian personnel.