Benue: The Dangote Cement and six host communities in Benue signed a historic Community Development Agreement (CDA) that promises to bring multimillion-Naira development initiatives to the region.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the agreement was celebrated as a transformative milestone, with the communities pledging to maintain peaceful coexistence. A traditional ruler, Ter Gboko Gabriel Shosum, hailed the pact as the dawn of a new era that fulfills the communities’ longstanding aspirations. He praised Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, for his commitment to addressing the needs of the host communities and urged local leaders to sustain peace and harmony to support the company’s operations.
Mrs. Bimbo Olawoye, representing the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure the full implementation of the CDA. Hon. Elias Yina, Chairman of Gboko Local Government, described the agreement as unparalleled in the company’s over 40-year history,
noting that the programme would benefit not only the local government but also the State.
Louis Raj, Plant Director of DCP Gboko, credited the achievement of the CDA to the support from the Benue State government, the Gboko Local Government, community leaders, and the ministry of Solid Minerals Development, among other stakeholders. He remarked that this occasion marks the beginning of infrastructural development and social support in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment programs targeted at the youth, women, and farming population. The company’s social investment would also improve access to potable water and electrification for the host communities.
The Gboko Plant’s CDA includes scholarship grants for students in secondary and tertiary institutions to promote educational excellence among indigent students from the host communities. Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, Head of Social Performance, described the signing of the CDA as historic and crucial for implementing key projects in the host communities. He
noted that the CDA provides for infrastructural and educational development over a five-year period.
Prince Yandev Amaabai, President General of the Jemgbash Development Association, urged the communities to remain peaceful and avoid violence, acknowledging the job opportunities and support provided by Dangote. The agreement was signed with six host communities: Tse-kucha (Mbatyula), Quarry, Amua (Mbakper), Mbazembe, Mbatur, and Pass Brothers.