Dangote Cement, Benue communities seal historic development pact

*The Dangote Cement Plc signs landmark Community Development Agreement with Tse-kucha (Mbatyula), Quarry, Amua (Mbakper), Mbazembe, Mbatur and Pass Brothers, in Benue State, as part of the company’s commitment to addressing the needs of its host communities

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Dangote Cement Plc and six host communities Gboko, Benue State, Wednesday, December 4, 2024, signed an historic Community Development Agreement (CDA).

Dangote Group Wednesday stated that the landmark accord, which commits Dangote Cement to multimillion-Naira development initiatives, was celebrated as a transformative milestone, with the communities pledging to uphold a peaceful coexistence.

The Dangote Cement Plc signed the agreement with six host communities, including Tse-kucha (Mbatyula), Quarry, Amua (Mbakper), Mbazembe, Mbatur and Pass Brothers.

The conglomerate said that His Royal Highness (HRH), Ter Gboko, Gabriel Shosum, hailed the pact as the dawn of a new era.

HRH Shosum affirmed that the communities’ longstanding aspirations had been realised.

The statement further noted the monarch extended gratitude to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, for his commitment to addressing the needs of the host communities.

He urged local leaders to sustain peace and harmony to support the company’s operations in the communities.

Mrs. Bimbo Sariat Olawoye, representing the Honourable Minister for Solid Minerals Development, expressed pride in the achievement.

The Minister called for collective efforts at ensuring the full implementation of the CDA.

Likewise, Hon. Elias T. Yina, Executive Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area  (LGA), described the agreement as unparalleled in the company’s over 40-year history.

Hon. Yina highlighted the potential of the CDA to benefit not only the local government but also the entire state.

Speaking on the development, Louis K. Raj, Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plant Gboko,  said the achievement of the CDA resulted from support by the Benue State Government, as well as from the Gboko Local Government Council, community leaders, and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, among other stakeholders.

Raj stated: “This important occasion marks the beginning of concrete infrastructural development and social support in the areas of Education, improved access to Healthcare, Economic Empowerment programmes targeted at the youths, the women groups, and the farming population.

“The company’s social investment will also facilitate improved access to potable water, improve electrification and power supply to the host communities, among other things.”

The Plant Director also noted: “The Gboko Plant’s CDA also provides for scholarship grants for students in secondary and tertiary institutions to promote excellence in educational pursuits of indigent students from our host communities.”

In his remarks, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, Head of Social Performance, described the signing of the CDA as historic and key to the implementation of key projects in the host communities.

The CDA, Olayiwola said, provides for interventions covers the provision of infrastructural and educational development for a period of five years.

Prince Yandev Amaabai, President General of the Jemgbash Development Association, urged the communities to be peaceful and eschew violence.

Amaabai stated: “Dangote has provided us jobs, and now is supporting us as a people. We must support him and be peaceful.”