Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Host communities of the Nigerian Cement Company (Nigercem) in Ebonyi State have raised serious concerns over the state government’s plan to establish a new cement plant, warning that the move threatens their land rights and the lawful future of Nigercem Plc.
The communities made their position known in a letter dated January 7, 2026, addressed to Governor Francis Nwifuru through their solicitors, Gamzaki Law Chambers.
The host communities—Nkalagu, Umuhuali, Amezu and Nkalaha, all in Ishielu Local Government Area—accused certain political actors of attempting to undermine existing legal agreements and subsisting court judgments relating to Nigercem Plc.
According to the letter, Ibeto Group lawfully acquired majority shareholding in Nigercem Plc in 2010 and became its core investor. The communities recalled that the subsequent revocation of Ibeto Group’s mining lease by a previous Ebonyi State administration was challenged in court, with judgments delivered between 2010 and 2013 in favour of Ibeto Group and the host communities.
They further stated that during the election campaign, the present administration assured them of plans to collaborate with Ibeto Group to revive Nigercem Plc. While acknowledging the constitution of a 15-man committee in August 2025 to engage relevant stakeholders, the communities lamented that no report or recommendations from the committee have been made public.
The communities expressed concern over the Governor’s announcement during the 2026 budget presentation of plans to borrow ₦150 billion to construct a new state-owned cement plant. They also raised alarm over a meeting allegedly held on December 31, 2025, where certain individuals issued a fresh “consent letter” purporting to revoke earlier agreements granted to Ibeto Group.
They insisted that the proposed location for the new cement plant lacks commercially viable limestone deposits and warned that any such project would depend entirely on limestone located within Nigercem host communities.
The communities rejected the authority of what they described as an unauthorized and self-appointed committee claiming to represent them, stressing that no such body had their mandate.
While reiterating that they are not opposed to development or genuine efforts to revive Nigercem Plc, the communities warned that they would resist any attempt to turn Nigercem into a mere limestone excavation site or to deprive them of the benefits of industrial development through political manipulation.
They called on the Governor to convene an inclusive town hall meeting, halt unauthorized representations, disclose the government’s technical and financial capacity to revive Nigercem Plc, and suspend any action capable of altering ownership or mineral rights pending broad stakeholder consultation.
The communities concluded by expressing openness to constructive engagement but stressed that they would not accept any arrangement that sacrifices their rights or future for political expediency.
Efforts to reach the State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyia, were unsuccessful, as he neither took calls nor responded to messages as of the time of filing this report.
