Business
BUA Group Plans To Exploit Ebonyi Natural Deposits
The BUA Group Ltd says its plans to exploit the natural resources in Ebonyi State beginning with the setting up of a cement plant.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the group, Mr Kabiru Rabiu made the disclosure during a visit with his team to the Government House, Abakaliki last Wednesday.
Rabiu said that the drive for its plan was due to the huge deposit of limestone which was high in quality and coal for necessary energy in cement production, which the state is blessed with.
He said that it was also important for all value chain created in cement industry such as block making, employment generation, housing and infrastructure.
He noted that NigerCem plant was the first host cement plant in the country but regretted that the plant had not been in operation to bring more development to the entire South- Eastern states and the country.
“Cement is a lucrative business and the huge deposit of limestone which is high in quality and coal, necessary energy needed for cement production are strategically located and positioned among neigbouring states which take advantage of many markets.
“Ebonyi naturally is a market of itself to exploit and a large consumption is going to be taken by the zone.
“We want to set up a cement plant here so that the South-Eastern markets will benefit ,” Rabiu said.
He said that the BUA cement investment in Okpella in Edo for South-South region and in Sokoto State for the North-West among other developmental activities would benefit the country immensely.
Rabiu, who was encouraged by the state government in its plans, expressed satisfaction by its location, quality and volume of limestone for cement production in the state.
Governor David Umahi, who cited some coal deposit located at Ohaukwu and Afikpo Local Government Areas of the state, told the team that enough energy from the deposit were on ground to harvest and start with.
Umahi said the country could change its narrative on road construction and bridges among other construction, if it thinks through using concrete in building in the country.
He added that that the state would develop with more cement plants.
“The cement plant will be a huge market in the country when it is established.
“Building with concrete is the answer to quality and good road. It is capital intensive but will be achievable,” Umahi said.
The governor promised that he would fast-track the process to ease their plans.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revised its cash withdrawal rules, discontinuing the special authorisation previously permitting individuals to withdraw N5 million and corporates N10 million once monthly, with effect from January 2026.
In a circular released Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and signed by the Director, Financial Policy & Regulation Department, FIRS, Dr. Rita I. Sike, the apex bank explained that previous cash policies had been introduced over the years in response to evolving circumstances.
However, with time, the need has arisen to streamline these provisions to reflect present-day realities.
“These policies, issued over the years in response to evolving circumstances in cash management, sought to reduce cash usage and encourage accelerated adoption of other payment options, particularly electronic payment channels.
“Effective January 1, 2026, individuals will be allowed to withdraw up to N500,000 weekly across all channels, while corporate entities will be limited to N5 million”, it said.
According to the statement, withdrawals above these thresholds would attract excess withdrawal fees of three percent for individuals and five percent for corporates, with the charges shared between the CBN and the financial institutions.
Deposit Money Banks are required to submit monthly reports on cash withdrawals above the specified limits, as well as on cash deposits, to the relevant supervisory departments.
They must also create separate accounts to warehouse processing charges collected on excess withdrawals.
Exemptions and superseding provisions
Revenue-generating accounts of federal, state, and local governments, along with accounts of microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks with commercial and non-interest banks, are exempted from the new withdrawal limits and excess withdrawal fees.
However, exemptions previously granted to embassies, diplomatic missions, and aid-donor agencies have been withdrawn.
The CBN clarified that the circular is without prejudice to the provisions of certain earlier directives but supersedes others, as detailed in its appendices.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) says Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.
Mr Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, said this while briefing newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the sector was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.
“A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the U.S. or Abu Dhabi,” he said.
Osifo said the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.
He said PENGASSAN had recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.
“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.
He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.
Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.
He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.
“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.
On insecurity, Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.
“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.
Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.
He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.
“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said.
He urged government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.
“Translate macro results to food on the table,” he said.
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