Fayemi Applauds Umahi over NigerCem

Wed, Apr 26, 2017 | By publisher


Business


KAYODE Fayemi, minister of Minerals and Steel Development, has commended Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State for constructing a major road leading to the NigerCem Cement Factory, Nkalagu in preparation for the revitalisation of the company.

Fayemi made the commendation when he visited the cement factory in company of Umahi and Abubakar Bwari, minister of State for Minerals and Steel Development, on Tuesday, April 25.

The minister, according to a statement on Wednesday, April 26, by Emma Anya, chief press secretary to the governor, promised to assist the Ebonyi State government and Ibeto Group of Companies to revitalise the plant as soon as possible.

He said he was particularly happy that Umahi had shown real commitment to ensuring the revival of NigerCem by constructing a concrete road to the plant.

He said: “The governor has shown real determination to see that this company begins production again. I am particularly impressed with the concrete road he has done to ease movement in and out of this plant. We thank the governor and Dr. Cletus Ibeto for coming together with  the chiefs here to support this effort to bring NigerCem back to life.”

The minister stated that he was in Ebonyi State to ensure that NigerCem was revived in line with the diversification policy of the federal government.

Fayemi added: “For President Mohammadu Buhari, diversification of our revenue base  from oil is the number one agenda. I have been hearing of NigerCem, Nkalagu when I was a little boy. There were two cement companies known all over Nigeria – Ewokoro and Nkalagu. Nkalagu is where we are today, that is why we have to revive it.

“On our part as the federal overnment, we are determined to see that this comes to fruition and we will provide all the support that is necessary for this to happen. I know how passionate Governor Umahi is for the development of the people. We know that he is passionate for development.”

Responding, Umahi told the people that the minister was in Ebonyi for two major reasons: “the smelting plant in Ikwo, first of its kind in Nigeria and to ensure that NigerCem was working.”

He described Ibeto Group as God sent, adding that the company has the capacity to make the cement firm  30 times its original capacity.

Umahi described Fayemi as man that would do magic to assist in the revival of the plant.

He added that he had directed the unsealing of Royal Salt Nigeria Ltd in Eyigba, Abakaliki LGA due to the intervention of Fayemi.

The company, whose activities were inspected by the two ministers and the governor on Monday, April 24, was sealed almost two weeks ago by the state government for destruction of farmlands

The governor also assured that the road work which has gone beyond the NigerCem main gate would get to the state’s boundary with Benue.

“We will not stop until we complete it and do the bridges involved,” he told the ecstatic crowd that welcomed him and the ministers.

Umahi also thanked the people of Igboesa, the host community, for their patience and peaceful deposition.

Ibeto, thanked Governor Umahi and the ministers for the visit, promising that NigerCem would soon commence production.

—  Apr 26, 2017 @ 18:15 GMT


Tags: