Ishielu Coordinators Endorse Governor Nwifuru, Back NIGERCEM Revitalization

By Alex Odeh, Pan Afric Reporters

Coordinators from Ishielu Local Government Area, which include the Coordinators of Ishielu North and Ishielu Development Centres, Hon. Emeka Emmanuel Odanwu and Chris Ogazie, have thrown their weights behind the re-election of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, saying that Nwifuru’s return to Ebonyi government house would accelerate the revitalization of NIGERCEM.

In a separate interview during the endorsement of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru by the stakeholders of Ishielu Local Government Area, held at the Council’s headquarters, the Coordinators applauded the governor’s commitment to bring NIGERCEM back to life.

According to Hon. Emeka Odanwu, the revitalization of NIGERCEM from its current sorry state will boost the economy of the area and discourage rural-urban migration, especially with the governor’s commitment to replace the obsolete equipment with modern technology.

Odanwu, further disclosed that since his appointment as coordinator of Ishielu North Development Centre, the issue of insecurity has received the needed attention.

He said, “Since I was appointed by the Governor on 15th January 2024 and assumed office, we have been trying to reposition our DC security wise, because of the security breaches we have been suffering”, he said.

He explained tha NIGERCEM has been in a sorry state and expressed the hope that the decision of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to revitalise it would not end like the promises made by previous governors.

“And coincidentally, NIGERCEM, the cement factory which has been in this sorry state, falls into our DC. We have said it before and we are going to say it again if His Excellency succeeds in revitalising NIGERCEM, our people will not be coming to Abakaliki again. Everything we do will revolve there, and that is why we are very particular to the revitalization of NIGERCEM.

“It is very dear to us and every government that comes has promised us one thing or the other, but we end up seeing the sorry state of NIGERCEM”, Odanwu said.

He disclosed that with the feasibility studies by the Governor and investors on NIGERCEM that a new factory is being expected with modern technology and equipment.

His words: “Now that Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is on board, he has come with every commitment to show that he will revitalise NIGERCEM and we believe in him. We know how he does his things and he has come with investors to revitalise NIGERCEM and he has come for feasibility studies after which he will come back to erect a pure new cement factory in NIGERCEM.

“We are not going to use the obsolete equipment again, they are coming with modern technology and equipping the place to make sure that the place comes back to life. We are very particular about the revitalization of NIGERCEM cement factory because we know the economic importance of the cement factory. We know the impact it will create if it comes back to life”, he said.

According to Odanwu, the stakeholders of the area are prepared to vote massively for the governor, stating that stakeholders that make election works in the area have endorsed the re-election of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.

“So, we are going to vote for His Excellency, Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to make sure he comes back and finishes his good work and finishes that place on time. We can reap the benefits of that place in our lifetime and that is our message to him.

“Every big stakeholder who makes election work in Ishielu is here. Since they are here it means they are in support of the programmes and policies of our governor. And we believe once they are with him, his election will be a walk over. By the grace of God, His Excellency will come back to finish the good work he has been doing in Ishielu Local Government Area, particularly in NIGERCEM cement factory”, Odanwu concluded.

Speaking also, Chris Ogazie, Coordinator Ishielu Development Centre, stated that the people of Ishielu Local Government Area are happy with the developmental strides of the governor and re-stated that the people are supporting him so that he can continue his life-touching programmes.

“The people of Ishielu are very glad because of the endorsement of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru because he is doing well in Ebonyi State.

“We are urging him to continue with the revitalization of NIGERCEM and we are going to give him the needed support. We are supporting him through our endorsement today so that he can go ahead and do the good work he is doing in Ebonyi State and NIGERCEM”, he said.