Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
The Ebonyi State government has launched the development of a new ultra-modern building materials industry along Ezzangbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.
Oguzor Offia Nwali, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, who revealed this to journalists in Abakaliki on Wednesday, said the aim of renovating the building materials was to transform the state into a major industrial hub in the Southeast and create more employment for the youths.
The Commissioner explained that the project is located after the former military checkpoint at
It is a significant part of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s people’s charter of needs.
According to Oguzor, the facility, which is currently undergoing extensive renovations and equipment installations, will act as a comprehensive hub for a variety of building materials. These include modern roofing sheets, wall panels, electric posts, interlocking blocks, and advanced woodworking solutions.
“Anyone who passes through that area must take a second look. Even the blind will notice the transformation,” Nwali remarked, adding that the factory will feature machinery for the production of metro tiles, aluminum zinc, high-density fiberboard (HDF), medium-density fiberboard (MDF) boards, and wall paneling materials.
The Commissioner described this initiative as “a bold step toward industrial self-sufficiency,” affirming that the government is committed to ensuring every component of the facility is functional and sustainable.
Nwali also mentioned that the building materials hub is one of several industrial projects currently underway. He highlighted the reactivation of the Ebonyi Pipe Industry, which he described as the largest pipe production facility in the Southeast and South-South regions.
“The factory now produces various types of pipes, including PVC, PPR, and HDPE, all of which are used in water and construction systems.
“People doubted us and claimed we were merely showcasing pipes from market shelves, but this is a fully functional plant. The machines were tested thoroughly before importation, and the governor does not tolerate wasteful spending,” Nwali added.
In addition to infrastructure projects, Nwali stated that the state has prioritised inclusive economic empowerment, noting that over 1,300 Ebonyians recently received ₦1 million each in direct support.
This initiative is part of a broader funding initiative that includes the revival of the FUSI (Funds for Small-Scale Industries) scheme, as well as additional disbursements through the Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (EBSMEDA). Over ₦176 million has already been disbursed in amounts ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦500,000.
He explained that these empowerment efforts have also benefited Ebonyi indigenes living in various states, including Lagos, Abuja, Anambra, and Abia, with about 500 beneficiaries receiving ₦2 million each under a joint executive committee program.
Nwali emphasised another major project in which Ebonyi is establishing an Urban Industrial City—a modern complex that will host equipped shops, warehouses, and hostels.
“This initiative is designed to support skilled artisans and entrepreneurs, especially those emerging from state-sponsored training programs.
“We’re not just training them—we’re equipping their shops, providing them with working capital, and following up to ensure their success. It’s more than empowerment; it’s a sustainable transformation.”
Looking ahead, the Commissioner revealed that the government is conducting feasibility studies for several major industries, including a salt factory, an iron and steel complex, a state-owned cement plant, and an electrical cable manufacturing facility.
Regarding the proposed salt factory, Nwali noted that while mineral resources are on the federal exclusive list, there is nothing in the law that prevents a state from establishing a facility for local processing through partnerships.
“We are the Salt of the Nation, yet we have no salt factory. That is going to change,” he affirmed.
For the cement industry, Nwali explained that instead of engaging in prolonged legal battles over the ownership rights of Nigercem, the state is collaborating with private partners to build its facility, leveraging local limestone deposits.
Discussions are also underway with cable manufacturers to establish operations in Ebonyi, a state he emphasised is safe and strategically positioned for industrial growth.
Nwali acknowledged that the biggest obstacle to industrial development in Ebonyi remains the power supply. However, he commended Governor Nwifuru for significant progress in addressing energy deficits, stating that once adequate power infrastructure is in place, industrial investors will flock to the state.
“Energy is the only reason many are not coming. But once that issue is resolved, Ebonyi will dominate the industrial map of the Southeast,” he said.