Dangote Cement manufacturing plant begins production

Aliko Dangote (left) and President Goodluck Jonathan at the commissioning of the plant

Dangote Cement manufacturing plant begins production
Chinedu Iheaka, Ogun

A new Cement factory, Dangote Cement Manufacturing Company, with a production capacity of six million Metric Tones per annum and a life span of 105 years has been launched in Nigeria.

The factory, one of Africa’s largest, located at Ibese in Ogun State, western Nigeria, was commissioned by the Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan.

It is expected to provide direct employment for over 10,000 Nigerian unemployed youths.

Declaring the plant open for onward production, President Jonathan said his administration will continue to support private sector investment by encouraging local production of goods.

He stressed that Nigeria would only attain full potentials if government at all levels put in place, adequate recourses and intellectual capacities.

Self sufficient manufacturer

Jonathan however, stated that it is imperative to empower the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) in ensuring that Nigeria is not a dumping ground for substandard goods.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the importation of cement, rice and fertilizer into Nigeria was stopped.

Speaking on the government’s decision to ban the importation of cement before the end of the year, the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote explained that the decision was in line with the 2002 backward integration policy for cement sector.

Dangote pointed out that Nigeria was undergoing a transformation process that would metamorphose the nation from a net importer to a self sufficient manufacturer.

Williams