Dangote tasks states on investment enablers for industrial growth

*Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, urges states in Nigeria to formulate economic policies that guarantee environment conducive for investments and industrial growth

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In order to enhance sustainable economic development, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has challenged state governments in Nigeria to consider the provision of enabling environment for investments as topmost priority and potent means of attracting private sector operators to their states for investments.

ConsumerConnect reports the business mogul stated this while speaking on the sideline of the recently concluded Nasarawa Economic Summit in Lafia, the state capital.

Dangote noted there is no state in Nigeria that is not blessed with resources which could serve as potential for industrial growth.

What the states should do, according to him, is to look inward and formulate economic policies that guarantee environment that would be conducive for investments in the states.

He also said: “When states provide enabling environment, it will incentivise the private sector to invest and it will be a win-win situation for both the state and the private sector.”

The Dangote Group Chief Executive as well recalled how the enabling environment in Lagos had motivated private sector operators to move into the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), in Lagos, to establish companies.

Such investments are now adding value not only to the economy of the Lagos State but also to Nigeria in general, he said.

In the same vein, Dangote stated that such is the enabling environment situation in Nasarawa State that made his Dangote Sugar Plc to invest multi-million Dollar sugar business in the state.

He reiterated his position earlier while speaking during the opening of the summit, that various economic policies, including the land reform put in place by the Nasarawa state government were necessary requirements to a state that is committed to promoting enabling socio-economic development, as well as improved quality of lives of their citizenry.

Dangote commended Governor (Engr.) Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for providing the necessary enablers for the investment summit to achieve its goals.

Such enablers, he said include, providing committed and focused leadership and well-thought-out institutional framework that enables the creation of sustainable conducive business and investment climate.

The President of Dangote Group equally noted that it was not enough developing a credible, comprehensive plan that identifies investment opportunities and projects but backing these up with supportive public policies and regulations that make these investment opportunities competitive in the states.

He further stated: “Here is the good news: I can say with confidence that Nasarawa State has in place all the three requirements that promis to guarantee the attainment of the goals of this summit.

“First, I can say, with all humility, that the state has the leadership with the vision and commitment to achieve it.”

Dangote described Governor Sule as one of the visionary leaders that made the success of the Dangote Group possible.

“As the GMD (Group Managing Director) then of Dangote Sugar Plc, he has proved this by positioning Dangote Sugar in the top tier of stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as the leading sugar company in Nigeria and also Africa.”

Also speaking at the forum, former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, in his keynote address shared some key thoughts on how Nasarawa State can proceed, with the benefit of hindsight, with its investment plan and implementation milestones.