Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Government and the major shareholder of the moribund Nigercem Cement Company, Cletus Ibeto, are at loggerheads over the stalled revitalisation of the cement factory.
The state government has accused Ibeto of frustrating efforts to revive the plant, while the businessman insists he has concrete plans to restore Nigercem to its former glory.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr Chidi Onyia, said the state would not allow itself to be held to ransom in its quest for industrial development.
Onyia was responding to allegations by host communities of Nigercem, who accused the state government of lacking enthusiasm in reviving the company despite earlier efforts, including the constitution of a committee.
The communities also alleged that the government was considering establishing a new cement factory elsewhere in the state rather than reviving Nigercem at Nkalagu.
Addressing the concerns, Onyia said successive administrations had encountered serious challenges in reviving Nigercem, largely due to its ownership structure and what he described as a lack of cooperation from the core investor.
“Had it been that the state government had total ownership of Nigercem, it would have been easier to move decisively,” he said.
“But the same individual holding the major shares has consistently refused to make available critical information demanded by the government. Anytime government shows seriousness, he allegedly mobilises people from the area to work against the process.”
The commissioner added that several companies had shown interest in partnering with the state to revive the cement plant, but were discouraged by conditions imposed by the core investor.
He further lamented the level of decay at the Nigercem site, alleging that much of the infrastructure had been vandalised or lost.
“To be honest, talking about revitalisation now is almost the same as starting afresh. Even the existing infrastructure could not be protected,” he said.
While acknowledging the emotional and economic attachment of the Nkalagu community to Nigercem, Onyia stressed that development decisions must be guided by economic realities.
“If it will cost ₦500 billion to revive Nigercem and ₦300 billion to establish a new cement factory elsewhere, which option would any rational government choose?” he asked.
On claims that limestone deposits suitable for cement production exist only in Nkalagu and that the state plans to exploit those deposits for a new project elsewhere, Onyia dismissed the allegations as misinformation.
According to him, Ebonyi State is endowed with bankable limestone deposits in several locations beyond Nkalagu.
“It is total deceit for anyone to claim that limestone exists only in Nkalagu,” he said.
“We have viable limestone deposits in Ngbo in Ohaukwu, Inyaba, Umezoka in Ezzamgbo, Edomie Ishielu, Ebonyi LGA, among others. Some of these locations have calcium oxide content of over 42 per cent, which meets international standards for cement production.”
He explained that even when Nigercem was operational, limestone was sourced from areas outside Nkalagu, noting that pipelines were once run from parts of Ngbo to the factory.
He added that the state has the legal right to source limestone from any licensed deposit, including Nkalagu, in line with federal mining laws, should it decide to site a new cement factory elsewhere.
On environmental concerns and abandoned mining pits in some communities, Onyia acknowledged the problem and blamed poor regulation in the past.
“Many mining companies entered communities through informal agreements without government involvement. Critical issues like reclamation were ignored,” he said, adding that the present administration is enforcing compliance with mining laws.
Reiterating the state’s commitment to industrialisation and sustainable mining, Onyia said the government remains open to public-private partnerships but would not tolerate actions that stall progress.
“Our goal is a cement factory that will serve Ebonyi people for 30 to 50 years. We are open to partnerships, but we will not allow sabotage to stall the progress of the state,” he said.
Ibeto Reacts
Reacting to the allegations, Mr Cletus Ibeto dismissed claims that he was frustrating the revival of Nigercem, insisting that he has solid plans to bring the company back to life.
“I have good and solid plans to revive Nigercem, and by the grace of God it will happen this year,” Ibeto said.
“The politicians in the 15-man committee are pushing me to reveal my business secrets by releasing my financial documents to them, and I refused.”
Ibeto also stated that he is in possession of valid mining leases for Nigercem, issued by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development through the Mining Cadastral Office, and valid until 2045.
“I am resolute to develop and bring back Nigercem’s lost glory. No one can stop that,” he said.
