The Dangote Cement Plant, Gboko has signed a community development agreement with its host community in Gboko local government of Benue State.
Signing of the agreement took place earlier today, Wednesday at the company’s premises located at Kilometer 72 along the Makurdi – Gboko road.
Addressing the host community, the Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Gboko plant, Engr Louise Raj who represented the Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement, sued for cooperation from the host community in order to foster a peaceful and mutually beneficial company-host relationship.
He said, “a stable social environment is critical to business success. And we continue to count on you to provide the enabling environment for our mutual benefits. On our part, we shall deliver on all our commitments as contained in this CDA as we expect maximum cooperation from all concerned. The CDA can only be funded when the company makes progress in its business objectives.
“This important occasion marks the beginning of concrete infrastructural development and social support in the areas of education, improved access to healthcare, economic empowerment programs 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 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”.
President of the Yion Development Association, Orver Yongu, who, in his response thanked the company for the initiative, however pointed out that the negative impact of mining activities of the company on their hosts was far beyond the few communities selected for development interventions and called for expansion of the scope for greater impact.
President-General of the Jemgbagh Development Association, Prince Yandev Amaabai in his speech also lauded the initiative noting that the pact between the company and the host community was the first of it’s kind since the company was established 44 years ago.
The Ter Gboko, His Royal Highness, Gabriel Shosum who was represented by the Mue Ter, His Royal Highness Ikpa Ahua, and all the royal fathers at the occasion advised the company to keep to their own part of the agreement.
The 6 communities that signed the agreement include: the Mbazembe – Ipav community, the Mbatur – Yandev community, the quarry family, the Amua community, the Tse Kucha – Mbatura community as well as the Pass brother – Guma community.
