Dangote: Giving back to communities

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Dangote Group has rolled out projects meant to positively impact on the lives of the people Benue state. DAVID AGBA reports

Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom has said that Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko Plant, has paid a staggering N7000 million tax to the State Government. T h e G o v e r n o r w h o w a s speaking at the Dangote Cement’s commissioning and presentation of Tri-cycles in Gboko at the weekend announced that the tax was received last week. Tri-cycles and mini-depots CSR project was presented to Benue communities by the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who was represented by his Honorary Adviser, Engr Joe Makoju at an event attended by the governor of the state and other government officials. The elated Ortom also promised to address the issue of tax rise and multiple taxations.

To this end, Dangote has scaled up its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the state. He said without Dangote Group, there would have been a vacuum in the state’s economy. He described the Dangote Group as a dependable partner, even as he commended the company for creating direct and indirect jobs opportunities in the State. “Alhaji Aliko Dangote is a great Nigerian whom God has endowed with wisdom to drive the economy through the private sector. This company is better off compared to when it was in the hands of government. If not for Dangote, BCC Gboko would have been occupied by rats and reptiles,” he said. H e a d d e d : ” B u s i n e s s environment is very harsh in Nigeria. So for this company to have been functioning, it’s really appreciating. It is clear that we have found a new way of working together.” According to him: “We are restricted by the downturn of the economy. The capacity to engage people by the government is no longer there. So this new Corporate Social Responsibility scheme is really commendable.

The tri- Cycles will facilitate movement and the cement depots will facilitate development and reduce hardship of travelling long distance before getting the product.” The Governor said:“As your governor I will not allow Dangote to shortchange you, neither will I allow you to sabotage his investment. We need to encourage them.” Other CSR projects by Dangote Cement in Benue state include: Electrification of villages at Masaje, Ipav, Gaando, Mbayion, Quarry Community, Igyula- Mbayion, Amua- Mbayion, TsekutsaMbayion, some communities at Ukpekpe- Mbayion; procurement of 50 motor cycles on a revolving scheme basis and construction of 14 blocks of classrooms in different host communities in our operational area. Others are: Construction of a bridge at Mkar, donation of N 15million Naira to Yion Clan Foundation, construction of 21 boreholes in some communities o f M b a y i o n , y a n d e v a n d Ipav(arrangements are already in place to reactivate non functional ones) and procurement of four (4) trucks of fertilizers on a revolving scheme to Mbayion Community. Also, the construction of a block of classrooms for the quarry Community, construction of examination hall at Mbatyula Progressive College, Tsekucha, the sum of N10 million is disbursed annually for Scholarship Grant to Mbayion Students in higher institutions of learning, are among the projects. “We have vigilante contract with all our host communities which we are paying over N3million monthly. We do engage some skilled and unskilled youths of the host communities in our employment as part of the Youth Economic empowerment programme,” a statement from the Dangote Cement said.

Speaking at the commissioning of Tri-cycles and Mini-depots CSR project in Gboko, Engr Makoju said: “In keeping to our rules of engagement with host communities, which aims at transforming the lives of the people around our operational units, these schemes aim at empowering our host communities economically and socially.” He stressed that the new scheme will engage the youths in more productive ventures thereby eliminating idleness and criminality, and as well improve the economic power of benefiting communities and relations as well as enhance their living standards. Makoju called on the state government to address the recently rapid rise in the number and rate of taxes and levies, saying it is stifling business.

“We are appealing to Your Excellency to please look into these issues with your able State House of Assembly with a view to lessening our tax burden,” he added. He said the company is the largest employer of labour outside government in the state. Plant Director Jacinto Leyva Miranda said the company has done a lot and will continue in its bid to support its immediate communities. In his reaction, the His Royal Highness, the Ter Gboko, Gabriel Shosun, while commending the Dangote Cement for the CSR programmes, promised to ensure that the company is protected. Also speaking, former Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Bem Angwe said the Dangote Group should be commended for its CSR projects in Benue state, adding that the company should not rest on its oars in supporting his people.

 

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