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The Federal Government has commended the leading roles being played by Dangote Group in complementing government’s efforts to diversify the nation’s economy and the company’s dedication to promotion of best practices in all its operations.
Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Ishaq Salako gave the commendation during a familiarisation visit to Dangote Cement plant, in Ibese, Ogun State.
The visit was followed by a community engagement, preparatory to the Expert Panel Review of the report of an Environmental Impact Assessment carried out on coal milling at the plant.
“Dangote Industries as a whole is an international conglomerate and I am happy that the company is at the forefront of promoting best practices in terms of conception, planning, implementation, management of factories that are manufacturers like this,” the minister said.
Salako and his entourage, who were received by the management led the Plant Director, Mr. Azad Nawabuddin, described mining as one of the key industrial sectors that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has targeted for economic diversification as the nation embarks on gradual shift from oil and gas dependency.
He said it was for this reason that Dangote Cement should be commended for the huge cement plant, which is creating jobs and opportunities for export. The minister added that limestone mining activities, a key raw material in cement manufacturing, is one of such area that attention of the government is shifting to.
Salako pointed out that while the mining sector has huge potential to develop the nation’s economy, many challenges are associated with mining activities. He, therefore, lauded Dangote Cement for its adherence to best practices, saying, “having gone round to see the operations in the plant, I give kudos to Dangote Cement for the automation and high technology-driven operations.”
He further explained that his visit was not unconnected with the Environmental Impact Assessment, which is being done on the plant’s coal mill, adding, “there is a need for mining operations to be done in a sustainable manner so that the environment is not adversely affected. But I applaud Dangote Cement for being at the forefront of promoting best practices.”
The minister added: “For us in the Ministry of Environment, it means we must also sit up. Mining as it comes with its advantages, also comes with its challenges. So, we must be up and doing, as we expand the economy and grow Nigeria. We should also do it in a sustainable manner so that the environment is not adversely affected.
“We must continue in that respect to ensure that best practices are always promoted, environmental and social impact assessments are properly carried out, the stakeholders are properly involved, and the environment is properly protected so that our growth can be sustainable. That’s why we are here and I am happy that Dangote is at the forefront of that.”
Also speaking, Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, who represented the Governor Dapo Abiodun, said the state is a beneficiary of Dangote Cement’s presence due to the amount of levies and taxes it has paid into the state’s coffers.
According to the commissioner, Dangote Cement is a key driver of the state’s economy with the citing of the continent’s second biggest cement plant in the state.
He called for a more collaboration between the state agencies and the company, noting that the state was not unaware of the activities of the plant to lift its host communities.
Oresanya added that the state would be more than ready to assist the company in any way possible.
In his remarks, Nawabuddin took the minister through the social investments and infrastructural milestones recorded by the plant since inception, adding that the company has been able to substantially contribute to infrastructure development and employment in its host communities.
The Plant Director told the minister that the plant deals with 17 host communities across Yewa North and Ewekoro Local Government Areas of the state, noting that they have greatly felt the impacts of the company through empowerment programmes and provision of infrastructure.
Nawabuddin said that Dangote Cement Plant in Ibese, has been a major contributor to economic diversification efforts of both the state and federal governments by creating jobs, exporting cement and clinker to neighbouring countries to attract foreign exchange into the country, and paying humongous taxes and levies to the state and federal government.
The community engagement that held after the minister’s tour of the plant also saw the communities’ leaders thanking Dangote Cement for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects so far for the people of Yewa.
The Olu of Imasayi, Oba Kuoye Olalekan, expressed his subjects’ appreciation to Dangote Cement for its developmental strides in the area.
“Dangote Cement is the transformer and illumination of Yewa land,” he stated.
