Host communities of the Nigerian Cement Company (Nigercem Plc) in Ebonyi State have raised concerns over the state government’s plan to establish a new cement plant, warning that the move could undermine their land rights and the future of the existing company.
The communities, comprising Nkalagu, Umuhuali, Amezu and Nkalaha in Ishielu Local Government Area, made their position known in a letter dated January 7, 2026, addressed to Governor Francis Nwifuru through their solicitors, Gamzaki Law Chambers.
They accused unnamed political actors of attempting to overturn existing legal agreements and court judgments related to Nigercem Plc. According to the letter, Ibeto Group lawfully acquired majority shareholding in Nigercem in 2010 and became its core investor.
The communities recalled that the revocation of Ibeto Group’s mining lease by a previous Ebonyi State administration was challenged in court, with judgments delivered between 2010 and 2013 in favour of Ibeto Group and the host communities.
They noted that the current administration had, during the election campaign, assured stakeholders of plans to collaborate with Ibeto Group to revive Nigercem Plc. While acknowledging the constitution of a 15-man committee in August 2025 to engage stakeholders, the communities lamented that the committee’s findings have not been made public.
The communities expressed concern over the governor’s announcement during the 2026 budget presentation of plans to borrow ₦150 billion to build a new state-owned cement plant. They also raised alarm over a meeting held on December 31, 2025, where some individuals allegedly issued a new “consent letter” seeking to revoke earlier agreements granted to Ibeto Group.
They argued that the proposed site for the new cement plant lacks commercially viable limestone deposits and would rely entirely on limestone located within Nigercem host communities. The communities also rejected the authority of what they described as an unauthorised committee claiming to represent them.
While stating that they are not opposed to development or genuine efforts to revive Nigercem Plc, the communities warned against any attempt to reduce Nigercem to a limestone excavation zone or deny them the benefits of industrial development.
They called on the governor to convene an inclusive town hall meeting, halt unauthorised representations, disclose the state’s technical and financial plans for reviving Nigercem, and suspend actions that could affect ownership or mineral rights pending broad consultations.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyia, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
