Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese plant, has taken its social performance initiative to the next level with the launch of its multi-million Naira Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects for its host communities in Nigeria.
During the event tagged “2022 Host Community Day”, the company unveiled various empowerment programmes in skill acquisition, scholarship, farming techniques training and empowerment of vulnerable women in its 17 host communities.
More than 120 students from primary school to higher institutions received their scholarship cheques, while 50 vulnerable women, including widows went home with grinding machines to support their household income.
Dangote Cement Ibese Plant equally launched its maiden Community Newsletter as part of measures to intimate the people of the host communities on developments arround them.
The traditional rulers of the host communities that graced the occasion commended the management of Dangote Cement as they joined in the unveiling of some projects already completed for the use of the people.
In the fewer than 60 farmers were presented to the audience as having been trained in the year on Good Agricultural Practices for Maize Production to boost agricultural production while another 30 youths are currently undergoing training on Domestic Electrification and Installation.
The Dangote Cement Ibese Plant Director, Mr Azad Nawabuddin described the event as a demonstration of the Company’s commitment to continuous improvement of the relationship between Ibese Plant and its Host Communities.
Me Nawabuddin stated that “it has been a milestone in over 10 years of existence of Ibese plant, with the cardinal objective of celebrating and appreciating our primary stakeholders for granting us the social license to operate sustainably, while also taking stock of our imprints within the calendar year.
“I make bold to say that Dangote Cement Plant Ibese has been able to weather the challenges of the year 2022 because of the collaboration and understanding enjoyed by our stakeholders. The socio-economic challenges bedevilling businesses across the globe and in Nigeria notwithstanding, I am delighted to state that we have stepped up our Social Performance as a Plant in 2022, in pursuit of our vision to be a world-class enterprise that is passionate about the standard of living of the people.”
He said; ” Earlier in the year, we were able to renew our social contract with the host communities by signing a five-year Community Development Agreement (CDA), following extensive engagements and concessions with a wide spectrum of our community stakeholders. The new CDA provided an opportunity to review and improve our social performance approach in line with the Group and Global Standards, and to introduce new programmes, while also enhancing the existing ones.
While expressing appreciation to the community leaders, representatives and members who worked assiduously in achieving the feat, Mr Nawabuddin assured the people of his management’s commitment to keeping to the terms of the agreement.
According to him, “this year, we embarked on 21 social investment projects across the I’m
17 host communities, in line with the thematic focus of DCP’s Social Investments i.e. Education, Health, Infrastructure and Empowerment, and we have so far recorded remarkable progress in their implementations.
“As of today, we have completed the 435m township road at Aga Olowo, a block of five classrooms at First African Church Mission School at Balogun, a block of five classrooms at United African Methodist Church School at Ibese, a block of five classrooms at United Anglican Primary School at Ibese.
He also boasted of the company’s effort in building a Lecture Theatre at School of Nursing at Ilaro, Solar Powered Borehole at Wasimi Imasayi, Health Centre at Iboro, and installation of LT Poles and Conductors at Kajola and Babalawo communities.
Lateefah Ibrahim
