Obajana (Kogi) – The Minister of Mines and Steel Development , Mr Olamilekan Adegbite has lauded the Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant for fulfilling its obligations to the host communities.
Adegbite gave the commendation on Thursday at Obajana, Kogi State during the signing of a Community Development Agreement (CDA) between the Dangote Cement Plc and its Iwaa and Oyo host communities.
He said that the signing of the CDA was in line with the 2007 Mineral and Mining Act.
The Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc Obajana, Mr. JV Gungune presenting a copy of the Community Development Agreement to the Elosho of Iwaa land HRH Oba Francis Migbole at the signing ceremony of the CDA Thursday at Obajana, Kogi State.
The Minister who was represented by the Ministry’s Chief Geologist, Ntuimbe Etta said the government will continue to facilitate a peaceful atmosphere between the company and its host communities.
Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Mr. JV Gungune,
in his speech at the event said the massive support for the communities envisaged in the new CDA is in alignment with the company’s vision and mission of supporting its host communities.
He said that the five-year agreement would be implemented between 2022 and 2026, adding that the Group President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote is appreciative and proud of the support from all the communities, including the plant communities of Obajana and Apata.
According to Gungune, the content of the CDA will be implemented under the supervision of the mutually agreed Community Development Monitoring Committee.
Senior General Manager and Head of Environment and Community Affairs, Dangote Cement Plc, Engr. Tukur Lawal said the company is a socially responsible one and will continue to touch lives through the provision of basic infrastructures to its host communities.
He described the two mining communities as peaceful, supportive, and business-friendly, adding that the presence of the company has brought about urbanization and development to them.
Only recently, he said, the company completed the country’s longest concrete road between Obajana and Kabba.
Traditional leaders of the mining communities of Oyo and Iwaa said the Community Development Agreement (CDA) jointly assented to will see more job opportunities for locals, and bring about rapid socio-economic transformation of their communities.
A obviously elated Elesho of Iwaa, Oba Francis Migbole, described the President of the Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote, as God sent, adding that the joy of the his community knows no bound.
He recalled that last year the company had completed a multi-millionaire health facility for Iwaa mining community.
Similarly,the Baloo of Oyo, Oba Solomon Obahawu, described the company as a blessing to his people and the generations yet unborn.
The traditional ruler said his community would do everything possible to continue to support the company so that it can enjoy a smooth operational turf.
The Baloo who was represented by Mr David Oloruntoba said the Dangote Cement Plc has rescued the people of the community from poverty.
Some of the areas of support covered by the five-year Community Development Agreement include; road infrastructure, education and scholarship, health, micro-credit and enterprise development, employment, vocational training, award of contracts, and the provision of startup capital to businesswomen, among others.
It would be recalled that the Dangote Cement Plc annual tax remittances to the government is above N100 billion.
In her goodwill message, Director, Mineral and Ecological Services, Kogi State, Atinuke Onimode commended Dangote Cement PLC for impacting on its host communities positively. (vitalnewsngr. com)
