Dangote Cement, Jakura Community Seal Landmark Dev’t Pact
The Obajana plant of Dangote Cement Plc, on Wednesday signed a five-year development pact with Jakura Community as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
Under the pact, Dangote Cement will implement mutually agreed social projects in the community.
The Community Development Agreement with Jakura community is one of many CDAs that the company has with its host communities for the execution of several impactful socio-economic development programmes and projects.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Plant Director, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, represented by Engr. John Gwong, Chief General Manager, Production, said the pact is in fulfilment of the provisions of section 116 of the Minerals and Mining Act 2007, and section 193 of the Minerals and Mining Regulation 2011.
He said the agreement demonstrates the company’s commitment to the development and overall well-being of Jakura community.
“For us as a company, we believe in the mantra, good neighbourliness is good business, hence we do everything conceivable to maintain harmonious relationship with the communities where we operate,” Engr. Azad said.
“We look forward to the support of the State and Local Government as we seek to collaborate with relevant agencies of the state to implement some of the developmental programmes cited in this agreement.”
According to him, a governing structure will be set up for the smooth implementation of the content of the agreement.
Also speaking, Group Head, Social Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola said the agreement followed the stipulated steps as per the CDA development guideline as amended in 2023.
He said even though the year has almost come to an end, the company will kickstart implementation of the content of the CDA, while assuring of commitment to a robust relationx with the community.
In his remarks, the Group Head, Health, Safety, Social, Environment and Sustainability, Dangote Industries Ltd, Mr. James Adenuga, said the company is a responsible corporate entity always doing the right thing to smoothen the company’s social responsibilities to ensure sustained operation.
On his part, the General Manager, Social Performance of the plant, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi commended the Jakura community for being supportive and outstandingly positive throughout the process of drafting the agreement.
In his message, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, said tthe Federal Government was proud of Dangote Cement for being a responsible corporate citizen, urging the community to continue co-existing with the company peacefully.
The minister, represented by Mrs. Bimbo Olaoye, said the government will continue to ensure that the company enjoys smooth operational turf while creating jobs and implementing social programmes.
Speaking on behalf of his community, the Obaro of Jakura community, Usman Ajibola Adoga described the event as “a dream come true”
“Some of us who aspire to see this come true are not alive. It is indeed an historic event, and the Jakura community will never be the same again,” he added, and commended Dangote Cement Plc for its unwavering interventions in several communities in Kogi State.
In his remark, the Olu of Apata, Frederick Balogun said Aliko Dangote is God sent, and promised that the communities will continue to be peaceful and serve as ambassador of the Dangote Group.
The representative of the Chairman, Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon. Danjuma Muhammad Abubakar, also said the people of Kogi will continue to be the Ambassadors of Mr. Aliko Dangote for his numerous interventions in their lives.
The event was also attended by the Federal Mines Environment Compliance Officer, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr. Olufemi Olaitan; Director, Geological Services, Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals, Mrs, Atinuke Onimode; Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Kogi Sate House of Assembly, Mrs. Omotayo Ishaya and her Vice, Jibril Abu, who separately hailed Dangote Group for its impactful community projects in the state.
