Leading cement manufacturers, the Dangote Cement Plc has rolled out products from its $300 million Cement Plant in Senegal amid excitement by the country's government on the prospect of direct employment of about 5,000 of the locals by the company.

The establishment of the cement plant is said to be the single largest investment in Senegal by an African, and the Senegalese government promised to protect the company to achieve its optimal production capacity.

Both the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal, Katyen Jackden and Senegal Director of Mines, Ousmane Cisse commended the doggedness of the Chairman of Dangote Cement in seeing the plant through despite various setbacks.

Speaking in Dakar during a ceremony to announce the formal commencement of production at the plant, the Senegalese Director said the government of Republic of Senegal was happy with Dangote as the single largest investor in the country, urging other African entrepreneurs to emulate the business acumen of Dangote.

The new plant located in Pout district of Senegal, about 75 kilometres East of Dakar, the country's capital, has a nominal capacity to produce 4000MT per day and 1.2MT per annum (pa). The plant has a total production capacity of 1.5 million tons annually.

Nigerian Ambassador explained that Dangote has through his investments in African countries built Bridges of friendship across nations, fostering unity and integration among African countries.

According to her, Dangote Cement has done Nigeria proud with the commencement of production and that she was happy that Dangite Cement has been instantly accepted in the marker because of the high quality grade.

She added that Dangote Cement needs all encouragement needed to flourish, and that her office would be willing to help in that regard because “Dangote has proven a worthy Nigerian Ambassador in business.”

Ambassador Jackden thanked the Senegalese government and its people for the support and opportunity given to a foreign investor like Aliko Dangote, stressing that “Dangote has been able to bring cohesion among African nations with his investments.”'

In his address of welcome, Luk Haelterman, the Country Head of Dangote Cement, said the Dangote Cement offered the best choice for consumers as it is the only 42.5 grade high quality cement available in Senegal market, and that the commencement of production will boost the housing sub sector of the Senegalese building industry.

Haelterman noted that the entrance of Dangote cement into the Senegal market has altered the equation in the cement market as the company has targeted the exportation of the product to Mali to the tune of 2 million tonnes while sales of the product in other neighboring countries are also being worker end.

“Senegal with a population of 14 million people is a market with ever growing demand for cement because quite a lot of constructions are going on. There are two existing cement plants before Dangote came on board

“But today, Dangote has become the biggest and best because we remain the only company producing the 42.5R, which is better than what we met on ground, which is the 32.5R,” he added.

Making a presentation on the occasion, the Director of Sales and Marketing, Serigne M. Dieng said that Senegal with 14 million people and a growing GDP of +4 percent as of 2013 has cement market of 3MT pa and consumption rate of 230kg.

He expressed satisfaction that Dangote Cement has been accepted immediately it arrived the market because of the aggressive awareness strategy embarked upon by the company to introduce the 42.5 grade which was not known to the majority of the cement customers except some few corporate customers.

Also, the Chief Operating Officer of the plant, Athanasios Bampos, said the location of the factory was not only rich in limestone but also in clay and laterite, which are the major components needed in cement manufacturing.

'”The only component other Dangote cement plants import, gypsium is being sold by a local firm, ICS Chemical Company, which is about 45 kilometres from the factory,” he said

•Photo shows Dangote.

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