Governor Nwifuru, China Expatriates Explore Location for a New Cement Factory in Ebonyi

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state has led Chinese contractors on tour of the moribund Nigeria Cement Factory, NIGERCEM, Nkalagu, to explore ways of establishing a new state's cement factory in the area.

The development is contained in a statement by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, made available to newsmen monday in Abakaliki.

Recall that the state government in its 2026 Budget provided for the sum of 150 Billion Naira for the establishment of a new cement factory in the state.

Conducting the expatriates round the area, Governor Nwifuru explained that the bottlenecks surrounding the reactivation of the old factory informed government's decisions to establish a new one . He noted that preliminary findings indicated availability of large deposits of limestones that could sustain the company when established, for more than thirty years.

" We have 50 million tons of limestone in Nkalagu and 23 Million tons at Effium and if put together will sustain the factory for a minimum of 30 years", he said.

The Governor who further explained that the establishment of the new factory was not politically motivated, emphasised that it was part of his administration's response to the social contract principle in governance which aligns with the industrialisation component of his People's Charter of Needs Agenda.

Butrressing his resolve not to allow undue private political and economic influence on the state's new factory, Nwifuru insisted: "upon completion of the project no one will buy shares here including my humble self."

"This is the part of the project we believe we must execute".

"We came with manufacturers, designers, builders and contractors.

"They will see the limestones". The Governor assured that the factory will be fully functional, creating jobs and crashing costs of building materials not only in the State and entire Southeast, but the nation in general.

He said the expatriates have assured him of timely completion of the project to drive the industrialization vision of his administration.

Governor Nwifuru, while lauding the support of some leaders, commended his Anambra counterpart, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for his continued indication of interest in the reactivation of the Old NIGERCEM.