Oshiomhole Kicks off $1b Dangote Cement Plant in Edo

Oshiomhole Kicks off $1b Dangote Cement Plant in Edo

The sleepy town of Okpella in Etsako East council area of Edo State came alive today as high government officials, including governors, minister and captains of industries, converged at the inauguration and ground breaking ceremony of $1 billion Okpella Cement Plant by the state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

The plant, declared as the biggest integrated cement plant is owned by the Dangote Group, one of the numerous intervention projects of Alhaji Aliko Dangote to grow the Nigeria economy in particular and Africa in general.

In his address, President of the group, Dangote, disclosed that the twin cement plants has the capacity to produce 6.0 million metric tons per annum as well as the ability to generate 4,500 direct jobs and 25,000 indirect jobs when it becomes operational.

President of Dangote Group who thanked Oshiomhole for graciously accepting to preside over the event, said the gesture herald the takeoff of a state-of-the-art modern cement plant.

According to him, "The 6.0 mmtpa cement plant in the state is a historic occasion because activities at the plant, when completed, are capable of transforming the economy of this community, its people and the entire state.

"Edo State is blessed with abundant mineral resources, and I am aware that the all-encompassing intent of the state government under the leadership of Oshiomhole is for the state to become a leading economic centre of Nigeria where the people live in dignity, powered by a government that is responsive to the needs of the people.

"This, I am told, has necessitated the plan by the state government to diversify the economy and reorient it from its dependence on government activities to an economy based on employment generation and value addition with private sector participation.

A key factor that drives investments in an economy is the presence of an investor-friendly business climate. Indeed, the state today, is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Nigeria.

"The economic reforms in the state, especially in the area of tax, innovations in rural finance and investment on infrastructure, have produced an enabling environment that has further provided a platform for future growth. All these factors encouraged us to consider the state as the right destination for this investment."

Stating that the company has received tremendous support and encouragement from the traditional ruler, the Okuopellagbe, Dr. Andrew Yesufu, his chiefs and the youths as well as the people of Okpella, the end results of which is the groundbreaking being witnessed, Dangote asked that this same level of support be extended during the execution of the project.

Dangote said: "It is in the light of this that we are here to contribute our own quota to transform the economy of the state as we have done elsewhere. This project is only one of our several successful projects presently ongoing in some parts of the country and outside in more than 16 other locations in African countries, in line with our Pan-African investment strategy.