The Federal Government has commended Dangote Cement Plc for making measurable and sustainable impacts in its Gboko host communities in Benue State through the execution of critical community-based projects.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, gave the commendation at the commissioning of Dangote Cement’s multi-million-naira water projects, scholarship awards and youth skill acquisition programme in the area.
Represented by the Assistant Director of Mines and Environmental Compliance in Benue State, Mrs. Adijatu Usman, the minister said the company had fulfilled its obligations under the Community Development Agreement (CDA), a Federal Government policy that mandates mining companies to reinvest part of their profits in host communities.
Alake noted that Dangote Cement had delivered several people-oriented projects across its host communities, stressing that the initiatives were designed and implemented based on the needs identified by the communities themselves.
“These projects are a fallout of Federal Government policy requiring mining companies to give back to their host communities. We engaged extensively with the six host communities, and these projects are certified community-based projects agreed upon by the people,” he said.
He urged the communities to take ownership of the projects, protect them and ensure their sustainability, noting that such collective responsibility would enhance economic development and promote sustainable mining operations.
The minister also commended the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for partnering with Dangote Cement in supervising the youth skill acquisition programme, describing the collaboration as key to empowering local youths.
Speaking at the commissioning and handover ceremony, Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plant, Gboko, Dr. Johnson Kor, said the projects were targeted at communities facing acute challenges in access to potable water.
According to him, the projects—comprising motorised and solar-powered boreholes—were part of the first-year deliverables under the five-year CDA signed between Dangote Cement, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the host communities.
“These are communities that struggle with water supply and often rely on streams and rivers despite their proximity to River Benue. We felt it was necessary to intervene, and the joy we see today confirms that this intervention is impactful,” Kor said.
He added that other projects, including electricity infrastructure, were ongoing and would be completed in due course.
The boreholes were commissioned in Pass Brother, Mbaakpoghol-Mbatyu, Mbaswa-Mbatser and Agboghol-Amua communities.
District Head of Mbaakpoghol-Mbatyu, Chief Kunav Anum, expressed gratitude to Dangote Cement, describing the project as a pleasant surprise to the community.
“We are very happy and grateful. Dangote Cement has supported us before with electricity, and we assure the company of our continued support,” the monarch said.
In a statement, Dangote Cement disclosed that its scholarship fund for host communities had been reviewed upward to ₦28.8 million and expanded to cover all six host communities in line with the CDA.
The company added that it had also executed and continued to implement other empowerment initiatives, including Women, Farmers and Youth Empowerment Programmes, all aimed at improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive development in its host communities.
