The conversation around the Nkalagu Cement Factory—our historic Nigercem—has refused to fade, and rightly so. This factory was not merely an industrial site; it was the heartbeat of a region, the project that placed Ebonyi and the entire Eastern corridor on the industrial map of Nigeria.
Nigercem represented the simple truth that hard work produces reward. It provided jobs for thousands, created wealth for families, and sustained entire communities. The cement produced in Nkalagu built roads, schools, homes, and the foundations of our shared future.
From its establishment in 1957, Nigercem stood tall as a symbol of resilience and progress. For many years, it appeared that the East—powered by the output of Nkalagu—was on the verge of matching the pace of emerging economies across the world.
But somewhere along the line, everything changed.A familiar force, often described as the Nigerian Factor, combined with monopolistic interference, slowly strangled the life out of the factory. By September 2000, Nigercem collapsed—not suddenly, but in a long, painful decline that echoed the warnings of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.Those who should have intervened allowed greed, conflict, and competing interests to finish the job.
Today, what remains of the factory resembles an abandoned mansion left at the mercy of time. Nigercem has become a monument to a dream that once burned brightly but now stands as a sad reminder of lost potential.
This is no longer the time for endless discussions, meetings, or documents without action. Nkalagu Cement Factory was once the lifeline of its host communities. Its collapse still affects families who depended on it, youths searching for work, and traders whose livelihoods were tied to its operations.
The demands of the people remain clear:
- Resolve the Ownership and Legal ImpasseThe long-standing disputes surrounding ownership and litigation need decisive government intervention. Only firm action can end the delays that continue to stall progress.
- Restore Jobs and Community StabilityA functional Nigercem once meant employment, reduced crime, and hope for young people. Reviving the factory will restore opportunities and economic stability across the region.
- Act With UrgencyEvery idle day represents loss—loss of revenue, loss of opportunity, and loss of investor confidence. The state cannot afford prolonged delays. Strategic action must replace slow deliberation.
Ebonyi State has a chance to rewrite this story. Reviving Nigercem is not only about restoring a factory; it is about restoring pride, opportunity, and economic strength.
The people want clarity.They want direction.And most importantly, they want a date—a firm commitment that Nkalagu Cement Factory will rise again.
The question remains: When will the cement flow from Nkalagu once more?
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