Dangote Cement Plc has announced the inauguration of some 19 different Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects for the company’s host communities in Ibese, Yewa and Ewekoro in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria.

The projects cover various social sectors, including water, education, electricity, roads and IT, among others.

This is in addition to the scholarship which the company had some years ago instituted for indigenes of any of the host communities in any secondary school or higher institution, from which over 90 had benefitted as at last year.

Speaking on the latest CSR blitz, the management of Dangote Cement said today that it the leading cement manufacturer is poised to make life more meaningful for the people of the over 16 communities bordering the cement plant and that all projects would meet the specific needs of each community.

Dangote Cement Executive Director, Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communication, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, explained that the projects were agreed upon after discussions with the community Obas, Chiefs and the youth leaders so that the projects could be relevant to their needs.

He thanked the Obas and other community leaders for their cooperation with the Dangote Cement management, noting that this collaboration has made possible the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the host communities. Engr. Ahmed promised the community leaders that Dangote Cement would continue to be alive to its CSR duties and urged them to come forward to offer useful ideas and advice that could propel the company to do more for the development of the communities.

He highlighted some of the projects to include three domestic boreholes for Elere, Babalawo and Kajola Communities; 10 domestic boreholes for Afami, Ajibawo, Aga-Akinronbi, Aga-Owoyele, Aga-Ashade, Abule Oke, Abule Maria, Ijako-Orile, Wasimi-Imasayi and Balogun; four Industrial boreholes for Ibese (2) and Imasayi (2); Construction of 10 classrooms for Ibese and construction of another 5 classrooms for Balogun communities.

Engr. Ahmed listed others as the award of scholarship to 77 between 2013 and 2014 sessions for secondary pupils, polytechnic and university students who are natives of the host communities. He disclosed that the company is also providing Community Information Technology Training at Ibese, Aga-Olowo, and Ijako-Orile, where two batches have already finished training while the construction of Ibese/Ilaro road, and that of Ibese/Itori road for all the communities is on-going.

Engr. Ahmed said these were aside the fact that the grading of community internal road network along Wasimi-Imasayi is in progress and the drain work at Olu of Ilaro/Paramount Ruler’s Road, Ilaro, is nearing completion.

The Dangote Group chief also informed that contract for the electrification and transformer replacement at Afami and Ibese has been awarded while the construction of 10 bathrooms and toilets with overhead tanks is ongoing for Balogun community. He explained that that the drilling of boreholes and construction of the overhead tanks is completed while a standby 7.5 KV generators to complement the infrastructure is awaiting installation.

Engr. Ahmed stated that one of the core values of the Dangote Group is to improve the standard of living of the people through production of quality household products, provision of gainful employment and the development of areas from where it operates.

The Executive Director noted that it was therefore not by accident that Dangote Cement decided to lift the host communities and people by providing amenities needed to make life easier for them. He explained that the scholarship scheme is meant to enhance the education of children in the host communities as the leaders of tomorrow.

Engr. Ahmed disclosed that for all the on-going projects, a monitoring team comprising representatives of the communities and the management of Dangote Cement would be constituted to ensure timely completion while those completed would be monitored to ensure that they are put to good use.

•Photo shows Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote.

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