LAST year, BUA Group, owner of Edo and Sokoto cement companies, signed a pact for the construction of a $500 million new plant and ancillary projects at Okpella community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The plant, when completed, would produce 2.5 million tonnes of cement annually.
It was gathered at the weekend that the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has moved to site. Sources from the community said a site proposed for the project along Okpella-Okene Road, Okpella, has been cleared with work expected to commence soon.
Also, the old factory of the company, which stopped operations since 1996, is said to have commenced production last month. Public Relations Officer of the company, Mr. James Ezerume, confirmed yesterday that the factory currently produces 20 trucks of finished product daily.
The company was a major driver of the economic activities of Edo economy until mid-1990s when its operations started wobbling. Promise of its revitalisation featured as campaign agenda of many political office seekers, including Governor Adams Oshiomhole, for many years. Court litigation over the ownership of Obu Quarry, the limestone deposit that serviced the company, between Okpella and Ado Ibrahim & Co of Kogi State, coupled with associated mining lease controversy also became an alibi for not turning around the fortune of the ailing company until the case was won by Okpella.
Heidelberg Cement Group bought the company, a deal many complained was far below the value of its assets, but the firm was committed to reopening in 2000s. Its staff's quarters and other facilities were renovated in readiness for a new phase of production. But the investors left in the wake of litigation over Obu Quarry Mining Lease.
Shortly after signing the construction work agreement, BUA invited applications from different categories of staff. The company rated to be the highest employer of labour until it went under was job seekers' 'dreamland', especially the locals who believe they deserve a reasonable employment quota.
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