By INWALOMHE DONALD

THE revocation of right of occupancy and compensation therein in pursuance to section 28 and 38 of the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978 put the record straight for Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. On the 24th December, 2013 Governor Oshiomhole gave a notice in exercise of the power conferred upon him by section 28(1) and 38 of the Land Use Act, 1978 and by virtue of all other laws enabling him as Governor of the State  to revoke the Right of Occupancy granted in respect of all the parcel of land on the Right of Way(ROW), from Okpekpe to Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State containing an area of approximately 73.750 hectres (182.236 Acres)440,718.583 metres.

Governor Oshiomhole took the action on land required for service of NNPC gas supply to BUA CEMENT PLANT, OKPELLA, EDO STATE, NIGERIA. Governor Oshiomhole has emphasised the need to rejuvenate the industrial development of the state through sustainable economic activities.

His target is boosting economic and human capacity development of the state amongst others. The governor has ensured that the BUA cement plant, a 3 million tonne cement plant in Edo State,  is back on track for commissioning this year. The Governor has underscored the importance of infrastructure to the development of the CEMENT PLANT. The Governor said “no nation can attain greatness without addressing the issue of infrastructure decisively”.

In Edo State, Oshiomhole recognized this point, so instead of embarking on 7-point or 10-point agenda, he stuck to one point which is renewing infrastructure.At different fora, Oshiomhole had  threatened to revoke the sale of Edo Cement Factory, Okpella, to private investors by past administrations if the factory did  not bounce back to production.

According to him,“the Edo Cement factory has become an embarrassment. I will direct the Attorney-General of the state to look at the terms of the contract  and if they cannot operate it or give convincing explanation as to when they will start production, we will revoke the sale of the cement factory  and Edo State will take it over.

“We will find the resources to re-capitalise it and put it back to production. We have had enough of explanations. It is irresponsible for people who do not have the know-how to take over businesses and shut them down.  That is part of the things compounding the problem of unemployment in Nigeria.”

Oshiomhole has played a major role in resuscitating $500 million cement plant owned by the BUA Group. The company has announced the plant’s progress at a signing ceremony for a US$35 million contract with Siemens. According to the group’s chairman, 70 percent  of the plant equipment has been installed and ‘the pace of work by Julius Berger (the contractor) is very comprehensive and impressive’. Siemens is supplying a new gas turbine power plant to Edo Cement Company.

The three SGT-500 turbines, manufactured by Siemens Industrial Turbo Machinery AB, have a total capacity of 45 MW. BUA Group and FL Smidth have signed a N75 billion contract for the expansion of Edo Cement billed for completion in August 2014. BUA Group is one of the six companies licensed by the Federal Government in 2008 to bring bulk cement into the country.

On March 14, 2011, Governor Oshiomhole said the state government will revisit the privatisation of Edo Cement factory and would revoke the privatisation exercise if need be. The privatisation of the cement factory by the Igbinedion administration has not benefitted the state in any way as the company has not worked since the day after its privatisation.

The non-performance of the factory has brought the economic life of the area to a stand still. The Comrade Governor saw the need to look beyond those presently handling the company, since  resuscitating the company became very much in doubt. Initially, it was Scancen that was the core investor in the privatisation of the cement company but lack of transparency, inadequate disclosure and series of other issues led to their departure.

In specific terms, the issue that has stalled the successful privatisation of the cement company and its eventual handing over to BUA was successfully resolved by Governor Oshiomhole.

Edo Cement Company, Okpella was a major driver of the economic activities of Edo economy until mid-1990s when its operations started wobbling. Promise of its revitalisation featured on the  campaign agenda of many political office seekers, including former PDP led government which mismanaged the company for many years.

Oshiomhole has assured the people of Edo State that all projects started by this administration will be followed up with all due diligence and vigour to ensure their completion.  Oshiomhole has reiterated his desire to uplift the lives of the people of the state despite what he described as the “primitive political opposition”. He has demonstrated that Okpella Cement will soon resume production.