Operation Resurrect NIGERCEM

Dissatisfied with the continued delay in the reactivation of Nigeria's premier cement factory, NIGERCEM, and its subsequent failure to contribute to economic development, the Ebonyi State government, host of the firm, has set up a Judicial Commission of enquiry to probe into its activities. (Picture shows Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi state)

This, according to a source, followed an apparent attempt to take over the company from its core investor, Eastern Bulkcem Limited.

The state government has for the past two years been enmeshed in a row with the Port Harcourt-based Eastern Bulkcem Limited, which bought majority shares from the cement company formerly owned by the five south east states in its bid to repossess the company.

Inaugurating the six-man committee headed by headed by Justice Adrian Orah, at the Executive Council Chambers, Governor Elechi, recalled how during a flight the pilot announced to passengers that a look at the right hand side reveals the Nigercem factory, adding that he was pricked when the pilot added that there was no smoke from the billows, meaning that the once glorious enterprise was not functioning.

"I will not say that I am delighted to be here to inaugurate this commission of enquiry, rather I do so with a heavy heart. The NigerCem had been a historical landmark in Nigeria, it was brought low by the ravages of the civil war but it roared back to life when the Eastern Nigeria government rehabilitated it. But no sooner had it gone to the five eastern states than it went down the drain. And now privatisation or not, for seven years, Ebonyi State has been denied a veritable source of revenue and youths have been robbed of employment opportunity," he said.

The Governor also recalled setting up an Economic Advisory Committee that looked into the fortunes of the company, and that based on the committee's report, he petitioned the federal government indicating the state's desire to take over the company. This, he said, is because, it had become obvious that the core investors were not prepared to reactivate the firm.

He reminded members of the panel of his inaugural address, where he "promised to get in touch with the core investor to see how we can get the factory on stream," but regretted that the federal government has not yet given him a conclusive reply to his petition two years now.

"And so we have decided to take our destiny in our hands. The commission is to tell us what is happening there ; I have confidence that members of the panel will justify their appointment. We provide all logistics needed for them to achieve results ; we are acting in haste to achieve an important result. It is a fact-finding commission and I emphasise speed and efficiency. The report would enable us take the next step without fault," he explained further.

The Judicial Commission has four weeks to turn in its reports and recommendations, he said, even as he expressed desire to have the report long before then, because, "we are in haste and people are worried ; we are running against fast moving current".

The governor told the gathering, which included the state chief Judge, Alloy Nwankwo ; Secretary to the State government, Fidelis Mbam ; and members of the state executive committee that "this is a fact finding commission and I emphasise speed and efficiency. The report will help us take next step without default."

Responding, Justice Orah assured the governor that the commission would be fair and firm, stressing its commitment to meet the time frame. He however asked for timely advertisement of the terms of reference and time to ensure that stakeholders prepare adequately for the task ahead.