After 40-yrs, dangote enters into pact with Benue Communities

By Yagana Ali, Yola

The Dangote Cement Plc located in Gboko on Wednesday, after forty years of operation, entered into pact with six host communities of Benue State.

The landmark accord, which commits Dangote Cement to multimillion-naira development initiatives, was a transformative milestone, with the communities pledging to uphold a peaceful coexistence.

The monarch of Ter Gboko, Gabriel Shosum, described the pact as the dawn of a new era, affirming that the communities’ longstanding aspirations had been realized.

He extended gratitude to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, for his commitment to addressing the needs of the host communities, while urging local leaders to sustain peace and harmony to support the company’s operations.

Mrs. Bimbo Sariat Olawoye, representing the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, expressed pride in the achievement and called for collective efforts to ensure the full implementation of the CDA.

The chairman of Gboko Local Government, Elias T. Yina, described the agreement as unparalleled in the company’s over 40 years history, highlighting its potential to benefit not only the local government but also the State.

Plant Director, DCP Gboko, Louis K. Raj, said the achievement of the CDA is as a result of the support from the Benue State government, as well as from the Gboko Local Government, community leaders and the ministry of Solid Minerals Development, among other stakeholders.

Responding, the head of Social performance, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola described the signing of the CDA as historic and key to the implementation of key projects in the host communities.

In a remark, President General of the Jemgbash Development Association Prince Yandev Amaabai urged the communities to be peaceful and eschew violence.

The agreement was signed with six host communities: Tse-kucha(Mbatyula), Quarry, Amua(Mbakper), Mbazembe, Mbatur and Pass Brothers.