By Praise Chinecherem
An Nnewi based prophet, Bro Iyke Uzukwu has appealed to the federal government to reopen the shut Ibeto Cement.
He said the factory reopening is in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
Speaking to reporters in Nnewi, Uzukwu, Spiritual Head of Soul Revival Outreach, Nnewi, Anambra State, the cleric also called on the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo to add its voice to the issue of Ibeto Cement factory.
He praised President Muhamadu Buhari’s effort in constructing and completing the second Niger Bridge on record time which he said past government failed to achieve.
He also commended Minister for Works, Babatunde Fashiola for being instrumental in the construction of the bridge, stressing that the singular achievement had proved wrong insinuation in certain quarters that Buhari hated the Igbo.
He said, “If President Buhari could, without further delay, order the reopening of Ibeto Cement factory to begin operations, impression that Igbo are being hated and marginalized will be erased.
“President Buhari is the father of all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic nationalities. I and indeed, Ndigbo plead with him to reopen the factory that has remained closed for a long time now.
“An average Igboman is worried because we know that the factory would have before now created job for over 50,000 Nigerians including the Igbo, if it had remained open.
“If the factory could engage this huge population, many social vices including kidnapping, armed robbery, cyber crimes and banditry would be reduced to the barest minimum across the country.
“Ohaneze should not only dissipate its energy on Igbo political repositioning in Nigeria without looking inwards to talk about a matter like that of reopening of Ibeto Cement factory.
Uzukwu further urged Ohaneze Ndigbo to explain to Mr President the importance of immediate reopening the factory, just as he called for an enabling environment for Industries in the South East to thrive.
“South East industrialists should be helped to have access to industrial gas as an alternative to power supply for ease of manufacturing and functionality of Nnewi industrial cluster as well as other factories scattered across the South East zone.
“Boosting the products of Eleme Petrochemical industry will in turn help the industrial clusters in the South East,” he added.
