Federal Lawmakers Endorse Dangote Group’s Industrial Drive, Cementing Economic Impact in Nigeria
By Ayshatu S. Rabo
The Dangote Group’s relentless push towards industrializing Nigeria has garnered fresh backing from federal lawmakers, further boosting the company’s influence in the nation’s economy. Members of the House of Representatives who visited Dangote Cement Plc in Obajana, Kogi State, lauded the company’s substantial economic contributions to Nigeria’s cement subsector.
During the visit, Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, praised Dangote Cement for its investments, job creation, and tax contributions.
He emphasized the critical need for collaboration between political leaders and investors to propel Nigeria’s industrialization agenda forward.
“Dangote Cement has set a remarkable example through its investments, paving the way for economic progress. All stakeholders must work in unison to ensure Nigeria’s continued growth,” Gbefwi stated.
The lawmakers’ visit, part of a broader initiative by the House subcommittees on Solid Minerals and Commerce, was also aimed at addressing concerns about rising cement prices and exploring collaborative solutions.
In response, Mr. Arvind Pathak, Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, highlighted the challenges affecting cement prices, noting that most inputs, including machinery, spare parts, and fuel, are dollar-dependent, except for locally sourced limestone.
The fluctuating foreign exchange rates, he explained, have been a major factor in the price instability.
Mr. Pathak also noted that Dangote Group is Nigeria’s largest private-sector employer. To counter inflation, the company has increased employee salaries by 21.3% in 2022, 47.5% in 2023, and 63.2% in 2024.
The Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, revealed that the company has introduced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks to its fleet and invested in alternative fuel projects, using biomass waste as a clean energy source.
These initiatives underscore the company’s commitment to reducing Nigeria’s carbon footprint and contributing to global environmental efforts.
Speaking during the visit, Engr. Nawabuddin highlighted the company’s extensive social intervention schemes, which include scholarships, infrastructure projects, and the provision of healthcare facilities.
He emphasized that these initiatives are part of the company’s broader Community Development Agreement (CDA) commitments, aimed at uplifting local communities.
One notable achievement is the construction of a multimillion-naira health facility in Iwaa, a mining community, alongside other empowerment programs. Additionally, Dangote Cement Plc is set to launch the Aliko Dangote Skills Development Centre in Lokoja, Kogi State’s capital.
Engr. Ismail Muhammad, Plant Director at Dangote Cement Plc, Okpella, Edo State, added that the company has heavily invested in state-of-the-art facilities to enhance operational efficiency.
The federal lawmakers’ endorsement of Dangote Group’s efforts marks another chapter in the company’s role as a key driver of Nigeria’s industrialization, reaffirming its position as one of the country’s top taxpayers, surpassing even the banking sector in 2023.
Federal Lawmakers Endorse Dangote Group’s Industrial Drive, Cementing Economic Impact in Nigeria