By Radarr Africa

Copyright radarr

There was celebration in Kogi State on Wednesday as Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, and the Jakura community signed a landmark Community Development Agreement (CDA). The agreement, which will run for five years, is designed to support social projects, improve livelihoods, and strengthen cooperation between the cement giant and its host community.

The CDA with Jakura is part of several agreements Dangote Cement has signed with host communities across Nigeria. The company described it as a framework for delivering socio-economic development programmes that will directly benefit people at the grassroots level.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Mr. Azad Nawabuddin, represented by the Chief General Manager, Production, Mr. John Gwong, said the agreement was in line with Section 116 of the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and Section 193 of the Minerals and Mining Regulation 2011. He explained that the pact demonstrates Dangote’s long-term commitment to the well-being of the Jakura community.

“For us as a company, we believe in the mantra that good neighbourliness is good business. We do everything possible to maintain peaceful and harmonious relationships with the communities where we operate,” Gwong said.

He added that a governing structure will be established to oversee the implementation of the projects and called on the state and local governments to work with relevant agencies to ensure success.

The Group Head, Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, also spoke at the event. He explained that the agreement was developed in line with the amended 2023 CDA guideline, assuring that even though the year was coming to an end, Dangote Cement would commence implementation of the projects immediately.

In the same vein, the Group Head, Health, Safety, Social, Environment and Sustainability at Dangote Industries Ltd., Mr. James Adenuga, said the CDA was another proof of the company’s role as a responsible corporate entity. “This is the right thing to do, and it strengthens our social licence to operate,” he stated.

The General Manager, Social Performance at Dangote Cement, Obajana, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, commended the Jakura community for its patience and cooperation throughout the negotiation process.

Representing the federal government, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, who was represented by Mrs. Bimbo Olaoye, praised Dangote Cement for being a responsible corporate citizen. He urged the Jakura community to continue coexisting peacefully with the company, promising that government would continue to provide an enabling environment for business operations while promoting job creation and social welfare programmes.

Other dignitaries in attendance included the Federal Mines Environment Compliance Officer, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Olufemi Olaitan; the Director of Geological Services, Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals, Mrs. Atinuke Onimode; and members of the Kogi State House of Assembly led by the Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Mrs. Omotayo Ishaya, and her deputy, Mr. Jibril Abu.

On behalf of the Jakura people, the Obaro of Jakura, His Royal Highness Usman Ajibola Adoga, described the signing as a “dream come true.” He recalled that some members of the community who longed to see such a day had passed on, adding that the agreement would change Jakura’s fortunes for the better. “Jakura will never be the same again,” he declared, while commending Dangote Cement for its numerous interventions in Kogi State.

The Olu of Apata, HRH Frederick Balogun, also praised Alhaji Aliko Dangote, describing him as “God-sent” and assured that the communities would remain peaceful and serve as ambassadors of the Dangote Group.

Similarly, the representative of the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon. Danjuma Muhammad Abubakar, said the people of Kogi remained grateful to Dangote for his many interventions in their lives.

The signing of this CDA represents a milestone in community relations in Nigeria’s extractive sector. Both Dangote Cement and the Jakura community expressed optimism that the partnership will promote peace, prosperity, and long-lasting socio-economic development in the region.