Production of cement will soon commence at the Nigeria Cement Company (NIGERCEM), Nkalagu, as Ebonyi State Government today disclosed plans to revive the defunct company.

The disclosure was made by the Governor of the State, Chief David Umahi while declaring open the on going 22nd Edition of the Finance Correspondents and Business Editors Seminar, held at Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State, capital.

The governor who was represented by Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in the State, Hon. Augustine Nwankwagu noted that the State was collaborating with the private sector to revamp the company.

“The governor in his wisdom has decided that NIGERCEM will come back to life. Through the strumentality of government, this government has the responsibility to revive and revitalize NIGERCEM, and we hope that in no distant time, cement production will commence in NIGERCEM and we will do everything to give that support and encouragement”, he assured.

He noted that Ebony State which is one the beneficiary of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Scheme (ABS) would continue to tap into opportunities made available by the government and other financial institutions to boost agriculture production in the state.
“And this is working for us, as you go, you will see Ebony State rice growing and really growing fast, and we are promising CBN and Nigerians a bumper harvest”, he said.

Earlier in her welcome address, the branch Controller, CBN, Abakaliki, Obiageli Obiekwe who opined that the state was heavily endowed by the nature stated that Ebonyi State was nicknamed “salt of Nation” following huge salt deposits at Okposi, and Uburu salt lake which according to her have the biggest deposit of salt all over the country.

She equally pointed out that the state has large lime stone formation in Nkalagu that supplied the major raw material to NIGERCEM.

Other endowments within the state according to her include deposit of zinc and lead at Enyiagba as well as limestones in Ishiagu, Ahikpo and Nkalagu among other crude oil, marble and gold deposits that were yet to be tapped.

Obiekwe further explained that endowment of large arable land, rivers and stream in the state has made farming attractive and rewarding. “The result is that agriculture abound, the legendary Abakaliki rice is enjoys immense popularity of both at home and abroad”.
She also opined that fishing was also carried out in a commercial scale within the state.