Obajana: The Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, and the Jakura Community have entered into a significant Community Development Agreement (CDA) that will enable the company to implement mutually agreed social projects over the next five years. This historic pact was formalized on Wednesday, marking a new chapter in the collaboration between the company and the local community.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the CDA is one of several agreements that Dangote Cement has established with its host communities, serving as a framework for implementing impactful socio-economic development programs and projects. At the signing ceremony, Azad Nawabuddin, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, emphasized that the agreement fulfills the provisions of section 116 of the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and section 193 of the Minerals and Mining Regulation 2011 of Nigeria. Nawabuddin, represented by John Gwong, Chief General Manager, Production, highlighted the company’s commitment to the advancement and well-being of the Jakura community.
The agreement includes a governing structure for implementing its content, ensuring a structured approach to development. Wakeel Olayiwola, Group Head, Social Performance, noted that despite the year nearing its end, the company is prepared to commence implementing the CDA’s provisions. He assured continued commitment to fostering a robust company-community relationship.
James Adenuga, Group Head, Health, Safety, Social, Environment, and Sustainability at Dangote Industries Ltd, emphasized the company’s role as a responsible corporate entity, asserting that the agreement enhances the company’s social license to operate. Ademola Adeyemi, General Manager, Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, praised the Jakura community for their cooperation during the agreement’s formulation.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, represented by Mrs. Bimbo Olaoye, lauded Dangote Cement for its responsible corporate citizenship and urged the community to maintain peaceful coexistence with the company. The government, he stated, remains committed to ensuring smooth operations for the company while encouraging job creation and social program implementation.
Esteemed attendees included Federal Mines Environment Compliance Officer, Olufemi Olaitan, Director of Geological Services, Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals, Mrs. Atinuke Onimode, and Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, Kogi State House of Assembly, Mrs. Omotayo Ishaya, alongside her Vice, Jibril Abu.
Usman Adoga, the Obaro of Jakura community, expressed his delight, describing the agreement as a dream come true. He praised Dangote Cement for its steadfast interventions across various communities in Kogi. Similarly, Frederick Balogun, the Olu of Apata, hailed Mr. Aliko Dangote as a God-sent figure, pledging that the communities would remain peaceful and act as ambassadors for the Dangote Group.