DANGOTE LIFTS IBESE COMMUNITY
Dangote Industries Limited, as part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR) has donated the sum of N5 million to the Ibese community in Ogun State, towards re-building of the palace of the traditional ruler of the town gutted by fire recently.
Besides, the group had announced plans to embark on the renovation of classroom blocks, expansion of the community maternity, provision of potable water and granting of university scholarships to the indigenes of the community.
The President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, represented by the Group Executive Director, Business Development, Mr. DVG Edwin expressed gratitude to the leaders and people of Ibese community for their support and co-operation in ensuring that work on the new cement plant being built by the company in the community remained on course for completion in record time.
According to him, Dangote Group attache great importance to building very cordial relationships with host communities and other stakeholders. He said: 'Being a good and responsible corporate citizen is a core business principle of the Dangote Group. We are always seeking out ways of making life better in any community where we operate. We see ourselves as integral members of that community, and strive to work with the local authorities to find solutions to economic and social needs of the community.
This is because we believe that social harmony between our companies and their host communities is essential for sustainable business growth. This is in addition to the guarantee of employment for a large number of indigenes at the cement plant upon completion. We are optimistic that the Ibese Cement Plant will spur a spiral of economic advantages for the community and and incubate entrepreneurial activities in its environs.'
Responding, the Aboro of Ibeseland, Oba Joel Bamgbose, thanked the Dangote Group for bringing good tidings to the community, describing the President/Chief Executive of the Group, Aliko Dangote, as a totally detribalized Nigerian whose investment decisions are not informed by primordial considerations.
According to the Oba, 'the move to find a worthy investor who would unleash the economic potential of our limestone deposits dates back to 1963. After being turned down by several national and international investors, our search ended the moment we made contact with the Dangote Group, who agreed to brave the enormous odds associated with an enterprise of this magnitude. This speaks volumes of the faith the Group has in the Nigerian nation as an entity and the Nigerian economy.'
Meanwhile, work is nearing completion on the 5.5mtpa Ibese Cement Plant, which is an integral part of the Group's drive to achieve a 20mtpa local production target by the end of this year. The Dangote Group also owns and operates the 5.5mtpa Obajana Cement Plant and the Benue Cement Company Plc. Work has also commenced on the Group's other cement production projects in Senegal, Zambia, Tanzania and Ghana (Takoradi) Ghana's Tema Cement plant commenced operation early this year. The Group also confirmed its plans to increase its shareholding in South Africa's Sephaku Cement Limited.