The Ebonyi State Government has unveiled major infrastructure and industrial plans aimed at repositioning the state for economic growth, including the acquisition of three aircraft and the establishment of a modern cement factory.
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru disclosed this during his statewide New Year broadcast on Thursday, describing the initiatives as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen connectivity, attract investment, and transition the state to a production-driven economy.
According to the governor, the three aircraft were procured under the newly created Ebonyi Air and are expected to arrive in January 2026. He emphasized that the decision was driven by economic considerations rather than status.
“This is not about prestige,” Nwifuru said. “It is a deliberate effort to open up Ebonyi State to increased economic activities by making movement easier for investors, professionals, and our people.”
He noted that improved air connectivity would reduce travel time and costs, boost tourism, and enhance the state’s competitiveness within the national and regional economy.
The governor expressed confidence that the airline would stimulate business growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Ebonyi’s integration into wider commercial networks.
In addition to the aviation project, Governor Nwifuru announced plans to commence the establishment of a modern cement factory to harness the state’s vast limestone deposits.
He explained that the initiative would curb the export of raw materials to other states for processing and ensure value is added locally.
“Our aim is to process our resources here at home so that jobs, skills, and income remain within Ebonyi communities,” he said.
The proposed cement factory, he added, would support industrial development, generate direct and indirect employment, boost internally generated revenue, and lower construction costs over time.
Governor Nwifuru described both projects as central to his administration’s broader vision of transforming Ebonyi State from a consumption-based economy to one anchored on production, value addition, and sustainable development.
