Ebonyi Communities Say No to Government's Nigercem Plans

Table of Contents

1. Concerns Raised by Host Communities
2. Letter to the Governor
3. Accusations Against Political Actors
4. Revocation of Mining Lease
5. Assurances from the Current Administration
6. Formation of a Committee
7. Governor's Budget Announcement
8. Alleged Issuance of New Consent Letter
9. Concerns Over Proposed Location
10. Rejection of Unauthorized Committee
11. Support for Genuine Development
12. Call to Action
13. Conclusion

Host communities of the Nigerian Cement Company in Ebonyi State have expressed significant concerns regarding the state government's plan to establish a new cement plant.

They cautioned that this initiative jeopardizes their land rights and the future of Nigercem Plc.

This was articulated in a letter dated January 7, 2026, addressed to Governor Francis Nwifuru through their legal representatives, Gamzaki Law Chambers.

The host communities include Nkalagu, Umuhuali, Amezu, and Nkalaha, all located in the Ishielu local government area of the state.

The communities accused certain political figures of attempting to undermine existing legal agreements and court rulings related to Nigercem Plc.

The letter reminded the governor that in 2010, the Ibeto Group lawfully acquired a majority stake in Nigercem Plc, becoming its principal investor.

It noted that the subsequent revocation of Ibeto Group’s mining lease by the Ebonyi State Government under a previous administration was contested in court, resulting in judgments delivered between 2010 and 2013 in favor of both Ibeto Group and the host communities.

The communities stated that assurances were made by the current administration during the election campaign to work with the Ibeto Group to revitalize Nigercem Plc.

They acknowledged that a 15-member committee was formed in August 2025 to engage relevant stakeholders but expressed disappointment that no report or recommendations from the committee have been made public.

They lamented the governor’s announcement during the 2026 budget presentation regarding plans to borrow ₦150 billion to construct a new state-owned cement plant.

The communities also expressed alarm over a meeting held on December 31, 2025, where certain individuals allegedly issued a new “consent letter” claiming to revoke earlier agreements granted to the Ibeto Group.

The landlord communities insisted that the proposed site for the new cement plant lacks commercially viable limestone deposits and that the project would rely entirely on limestone found within Nigercem's host communities.

They rejected the authority of what they described as an unauthorized and self-appointed committee claiming to represent them.

While reiterating that they are not against development or genuine efforts to revive Nigercem Plc, the communities warned that they would oppose any attempts to turn Nigercem into a mere limestone excavation site or to deprive them of the benefits of industrial development through political maneuvering.

They urged the Governor to convene an inclusive town hall meeting, stop unauthorized representations, disclose the government’s technical and financial capacity to revive Nigercem Plc, and suspend any actions that could change ownership or mineral rights pending broad consultation.

The communities concluded by expressing their willingness for constructive engagement but emphasized that they would not accept any arrangement that compromises their rights or future for political gain.

The Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyia, could not be reached for comments at the time of this report.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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