Ebonyi debunks plot to make use of Nigercem limestone to energy new cement plant

The Ebonyi State Authorities has debunked rumours by some host communities that it plans to make use of limestone deposits belonging to the foremost cement manufacturing facility in South East Nigeria, now moribund Nigercem Plc to energy a proposed new state-owned cement plant.

Talking to journalists in Abakaliki the state capital throughout the weekend, the Chairman Nigercem reviving committee Ben Okah described the allegations contained in a latest letter written to the Governor by host communities as “misinformed” and missing factual foundation.

He was reacting to a letter written by attorneys to the 4 host communities whereby they accused the state authorities of planning to make use of limestone discovered inside the communities to energy a proposed new cement plant elsewhere.

Okah regretted that authorities efforts to revive the moribund cement manufacturing facility was but to bear fruit and guaranteed that , “So, whether or not Nigercem is working or not, the state desires to construct its personal cement manufacturing facility and I can guarantee you that no one goes to infringe on Nigercem deposits to construct one other cement manufacturing facility elsewhere.

“Nigercem at the moment is sort of a forest.Property have been stripped to the naked. Cables have been dug up, tools eliminated, and the place is now inhabited by rats and snakes. Some former workers haven’t been paid for over 20 years—no compensation, no pension, nothing”, he lamented.

Okah stated the extended inactivity had left the host communities, the state authorities and even buyers with none profit from Nigercem, regardless of the massive {economic} potential of the limestone deposits within the space.

He described the state of affairs as “hopeless” and confused that the state authorities stays prepared to assist Ibeto Group to revive the corporate.