By CHARLES IWUOHA

Preliminary facts have continued to emerge, explaining why Nigeria’s first indigenous premium cement factory, Nigercem, has continued to remain moribund after almost 3 decades of its concession to Ebonyi state, following the State’s creation in 1996.

The facts Indicate a background power play with the major shareholder and industrialist, Chief Cletus Ibeto, allegedly at the centre of the hiccups.

Following Governor Francis Nwifuru’s provision for a loan of N150 billion in the 2026 budget for the establishment of a new cement factory for the state, Nigercem host communities in a statement last week accused the state government of plans to turn its back against Nigercem by considering the establishment of a new cement factory in another location in the state.

They expressed grave concerns that such a move by the government may finally end all hopes of revitalizing the age long, but moribund legacy factory.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Chidi Onyia, while interacting with newsmen recently in Abakaliiki, debunked the allegation of state government’s lack of enthusiasm towards reviving the NIGERCEM, insisting that the government has shown determined earlier efforts, including setting up of a committee to that effect.

He accused Ibeto of frustrating efforts to revitalize the factory, insisting that the state will not allow itself to be held to ransom by anyone or group in the pursuit of its industrial development initiatives.

Onyia noted that apart from other issues, particularly bordering on ownership structure which has challenged successive administrations in the revitalization efforts, lack of cooperation from the core investor, Ibeto, has remained the major roadblock.

He added that while several companies have shown interest in partnering to revive the cement plant, they have always been discouraged by conditions imposed by the core investor.

Onyia explained: “Had it been that the state government had total ownership of Nigercem, it would have been easier to move decisively.

“But the same individual holding major shares has consistently refused to make available critical information demanded by the government.

“Anytime government shows seriousness, he would allegedly mobilize people from the area to protest and work against the process.”

Lamenting the decayed state of infrastructure at the Nigercem site with almost all equipment and assets allegedly vandalized, lost or stolen away, the Commissioner indicated that it may be more cost advantageous starting a new factory.

He stressed that while the government understands the emotional and economic attachment of the Nkalagu community to Nigercem, development decisions must be guided by economic realities.

“To be honest, talking about revitalization now is almost the same as starting afresh. Even the existing infrastructure could not be protected.

“If it will cost ?500 billion for instance, to revive Nigercem and ?300 billion to establish a new cement factory elsewhere, which option would any rational government choose?” he queried.

Responding to allegations by the host community that the state plans to exploit the limestone deposits which they claim is exclusively located at the Nigercem axis of Nkalagu to feed the intended new cement factory project elsewhere, Onyia dismissed such as misinformation, insisting that Ebonyi State is richly endowed with limestone deposits of bankable quality in several locations beyond Nkalagu.

He argued 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 further emphasized that should the state eventually decides to site a new cement factory in another location, it would still be within its rights to legally source limestone from any licensed deposit, including Nkalagu, in line with federal mining laws.

“It is a total deceit for anyone to claim that limestone exists only in Nkalagu.

“We have viable limestone deposits in Ngbo in Ohaukwu, Inyaba, Umuezoka in Ezzamgbo, Edomie in Ishieke, Ebonyi LGA among others.

“Some of these locations have calcium oxide content of over 42 percent, which meets international standards for cement production.”, Onyia said.

On concerns about environmental degradation, including 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, and critical issues like reclamation were ignored.

“This administration is now paying attention to these concerns and ensuring that mining activities comply with the law.”

Reiterating government’s commitment to industrializing the state through revitalizing existing assets and creating new ones through public-private partnerships, Onyia stressed: “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.”

Meanwhile, Ibeto in his response said he is still interested in reviving the moribund factory.

He blamed politicians in the government committee, accusing them of some ulterior motives in their pressures on him.

He said: “I have good and solid plans to revive Nigercem and by the grace of God it will happen this year.

“The politicians in the 15-man committee are pushing me to reveal my business secret to them by releasing my financial documents to them and I refused.

“I have in my possession valid mining leases of NIGERCEM up to the year 2045 from the Ministry of Mineral & Mining Cadestral and I am resolute to develop and bring back Nigercem’s lost glory, and no one can stop that”.