By Austin Obinna
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) is partnering Imo State Ministry of Industries and Solid Minerals on the proposed cement manufacturing plant to be sited in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
“I am happy to inform you that after my last meeting with you, we reached out to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council on the need to engage their Geologists in the second verification of commercial limestone deposits for cement production in Okigwe as claimed in your letter to our ministry and the Council has indicated interest to collaborate with us”
Those were the words of Imo State Commissioner for Industries and Solid Minerals, Rt. Hon. Barr. Ernest Ibejiako during a follow-up meeting with Mr. Basil Ibekwe, Managing Director of De Supreme Edge Resources Limited, initiator of the project proposal, in his office at the Imo State Government Secretariat, Owerri on Thursday 11th July, 2024.
Expressing optimism in the project, Ibekwe, a former Area Sales Manager of La Farge Cement PLC who said Okigwe has one hundred and one million metric tonnes of Limestone deposits which can sustain production of cement for one hundred and one years at the rate of one million metric tonnes per annum, added, “the project has good prospects of internally generated revenue for Imo State”
Ibekwe also revealed that foreign investors for the project are awaiting the second verification of limestone deposits by relevant government agencies before their maiden visit to the state for further discussions, adding that the project will take twenty months from clearing the bush to roll-out of cement bags.
Reacting to the development, communications strategist, Hon. U S.A. Amadi, former media consultant to late former Chairman of Niger Cement Company Limited, retired Col. Lambert Ihenacho, commended Ibejiako’s zeal and commitment to the project which “will generate employment for thousands of our teeming university graduates and thousands of artisans”