Cement production will soon commence at the Nigeria Cement Company in Nkalagu, Ebonyi State.
This followed the signing of deed of understanding/terms of settlement between NIGERCEM and representatives of the four host communities – Nkalagu, Nkalaha, Umuhuali, Amaezu and the Ebonyi State Government.
With the signing of the pact in Abakaliki on Friday, the legal battles that had in the past affected the reopening of the once foremost indigenous cement production firm have been put to rest.
The parties resolved that papers be filed in court as soon as possible so that all cases pending before the court could be withdrawn.
The immediate past administration, led by Chief Martin Elechi, had consistently closed their door for an out of court settlement, against Dr. Cletus Ibeto, who re-acquired the firm from Eastern Bulkcemand had tried to revamp the cement factory which was popularly known as NIGERCEM.
In 2012 for instance, the Elechi administration warned IBETO GROUP against what it called illegal entry into the premises of NigerCem premises, saying its ownership was a subject of dispute in the courts.
But on Friday, an elated Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi; Ibeto and the SSA to the Governor on Cement Production, Prince Sunday Ugwuocha, described the signing of the MoU as milestone towards the revitalisation of the company.
Governor Umahi, who said he had in line with the popular demand of the host communities promised to allow Ibeto revamp the firm, noted that the journey to its realisation was not an easy one.
He said, “When we were campaigning under divine mandate platform, the only request that the communities made was that Ibeto should be allowed to come and revamp NIGERCEM and we did promise them that that was going to be done.”
Umahi, who thanked the Cement Production Implementation Committee, set up by his administration, for doing a good job, assured Ebonyi people that their 10% equity ownership of NIGERCEM was still intact.
“Let me announce to Ebonyi people that our 10% equity with NIGERCEM is still alive,” he assured as he described the land of Ebonyi as a land made up of limestone, gold, frankincense, silver, lead, zink, etc.
He added, “My prayers all the time is for the land of Ebonyi to vomit all the limestone, the gold, the frankincense, silver, the bauxite, lead, zink that the land has swallowed, and it has to started with Ibeto.
The core investor, Dr. Ibeto, praised Umahi’s ruggedness, saying Ebonyians owed him (governor) for ensuring that the journey to revamp NigerCem started on a good footing.
He thanked governor Umahi for creating the enabling environment for the takeoff of NIGERCEM
The chairman, Cement Implementation Committee, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, in his opening remarks, had said the signing of the deeds marked the realisation of an age long struggle by the IBETO GROUP to revamp NigerCem.

https://www.today.ng/business/132538/nigercem-commence-cement-production-ebonyi

This is a great news...... For dem Ebonyians

Oh! I love that!

y

Great... Umahi seems to be properly squared on. Heard he was one of the people that frustrated earlier efforts.

thumbs up oga gorvo.

Ebonyi state will soon start leading in the south East
Truly the first will turn last and the last first

This is one of the greatest investment the eastern region has but wasn't properly managed. Mismanagement started during the period of indginisation.
The white men left and the blacks mismanaged the company.

If u consider natural endowements in Ebonyi state u wud wonder why the state isn't as rich as it shud. Black people are blind

Good message.

Nice one. Thump up to gov.umahi

Nice one. The market is already there for him to thrive. 10% is still OK for a start. *All the roads leading to the four communities should be tarred.

I love this News so much...
East Leading the Pack since 1960
If you leave Igbos they will dominate you
The are hardworking
They are blessed-Ahmadu Bello 1963

Some are looking for FDI. We are grooming home grown entrepreneurs.

God bless my state

Nice one Ibeto.

employment for my people.

Pwayne2016:
I love this News so much...

East Leading the Pack since 1960

If you leave Igbos they will dominate you

The are hardworking

They are blessed-Ahmadu Bello 1963

That is why they were fighting hafd to frustrate Ibeto Cement. Watch and see what they will do