Lagos Chamber of Commerce Commends Dangote Group for contributions to Economic Development
Salamatu Ejembi, Lagos
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has lauded the contributions of Dangote Industries Limited to the Nigerian economy.
The President of the LCCI, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole gave the commendation in his welcome address during the Dangote Special day at the Lagos International Trade Fair.
He said: “This Nigerian conglomerate is contributing significantly to job creation, increase in foreign exchange earnings, poverty reduction and productivity growth even beyond the Nigerian shores. The company’s operations across 18 subsidiaries and 10 African countries is a clear testament of the company’s economic patriotism and commitment to the socio-economic development of our nation.”
Dr Olawale-Cole also congratulated the founder and leader of the Dangote Industries Limited on the inauguration and operations of the Dangote Refinery as well as the company’s newly adopted approach to sustainability described as “THE DANGOTE WAY,” a commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance global best practices.
The LCCI President further called on the government to put in place, policies as well as suitable infrastructure to encourage the manufacturing sector.
“Despite the significant progress made by Dangote Industries, the operating environment remains challenged due to low growth, foreign exchange volatility, high inflation, squeezed consumer income and weak demand, poor infrastructure, including inadequate electricity supply and limited transportation options, amongst others,” he lamented.
“Thus, the need for the government to strategically address these issues to promote manufacturing productivity in the country,” he said.
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who was represented by the Group’s Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Hajia Fatima Aliko-Dangote, in a keynote address, said the Group is passionate about deepening the Nigerian economy through industrialisation, job creation, provision and rehabilitation of essential infrastructure, and the welfare of the citizens.
According to him, “it is the desire to promote industrialisation that informs our decision to become strategic partners with all the major Chambers of Commerce across the nation.”
Describing this year’s theme for the Trade Fair “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value” as being apt, Dangote said, value creation should be the goal of any business.
“Our investment decisions at Dangote Group are focused on creating values for all stakeholders. We have invested in several projects which are meant to create jobs and enhance the rapid industrialisation of the Nigerian economy. Dangote Cement Plc remains the continent’s foremost cement producer, with operations in 10 African countries.
“The activities of the cement company through its multiplier effect, provide direct and indirect employment to millions of people across Africa. Through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) interventions, Dangote Cement has touched the lives of thousands of people in host communities across Africa. The company has built schools, hospitals & clinics, roads, markets, and vocational training centres in host communities.”, he stated.
Noting that the company’s Food subsidiaries are providing jobs through various schemes, he said Dangote Sugar Refinery, through its out-grower scheme has provided jobs to thousands of farmers in the host communities.
Also, thay Dangote Fertiliser has helped to change the face of agriculture in Nigeria while the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, will drive the development of ancillary industries which will utilise the by-products as raw materials.
In the quest to equip Nigerians with the necessary industrial and technological skills, he said there is a collaboration between the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the VDMA (the German Association for Mechanical and Plant Engineering) and its Foundation for Young Talent in Mechanical Engineering (Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau gGmbH – NWS).
“In this innovative programme, we recruited young Nigerians to be trained in various engineering areas to equip them with necessary skills to work in the manufacturing sector…Towards filling the gap in some of our plants, we recruited graduates of engineering and other technology-based courses and trained them on many aspects of industrial operations.
“These technicians were later deployed to our plants in Obajana, Ibese, and Gboko as well as our sugar refinery in Apapa and salt refinery in Apapa and Ikeja. They have proved that young Nigerians, given the right training and orientation, excel in every assignment they are given.”
It was a beehive of trading activities at the Dangote stand and visitors thronged the pavilion to buy various Dangote products which were on offer at pocket-friendly prices.
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