From: Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
The core investor in the Star Cement Factory, Igumale in Benue State, have been directed to move to site equipment for the establishment of the company before the end of the year so as to commence operations.
Governor Samuel Ortom gave them the ultimatum at a meeting with the management team of Zhengzhou Cangxi Industry and Commerce Development Company Limited, which is one of the subsidiaries of Henan Sure Bright Group at their factory site in China.
He stated that the ultimatum became necessary after the inability of the core investor to deliver the equipment as he had promised last year thus making the visit to ascertain their availability necessary.
Governor Ortom who posited that the state might have to review its commitment to the project if the equipment did not arrive by the end of the year said the state government had fulfilled its obligations and had long expected the installation of the equipment for the take off of the factory.
Remarking, the Plant Manager of the company, Mr. Pan Hul Sheng, who disclosed that the fabrication of the equipment had been completed averred that what had delayed shipment was certification from the Chinese government but assured that the document would be received and the equipment shipped by October this year.
He explained further that as businessmen, they were also interested in completing the factory so as to begin to get returns on their investment.
The management team later conducted the Governor and his team round the factory and showed them the equipment.
The team included Commissioner of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Tersoo Kpelai, Special Adviser on Media and ICT, Mr Tahav Agerzua, Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mr Abrahams Kwaghngu, as well as officials of Blue Diamond Logistics Worldwide, Mr Festus Mbisiogu.