The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dangote Group

  • Dangote partners Alba-Bello to sell food items at low prices

    The Dangote Group is partnering Alba-Bello Trading Company in Zaria to sell food items at low prices to customers across Kaduna and neighboring states.

    Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim-Mohammed, the General Manager, Administration and Corporate Services in Alba-Bello Trading Company, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday after the launch of the programme in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    He said the food items to be sold would include rice, spaghetti, indomie noodles, semolina, sugar, salt and flour, among others.

    He said the essence of the collaboration was to give customers real value for their money, provide succor and create job opportunities for the youth.

    “The benefits of this collaboration are much; it will create job opportunities for our teaming youths and will ease societal difficulties in getting some commodities.

    “This is because there are many commodities that are very difficult to get unless you travel out. It will also enable the people to get what they want.

    “Again, customers will get real value for their money because in Nigeria, some products are re-bagged and hardly can an ordinary person recognize the shoddy deal,” he said.

    Ibrahim-Mohammed appealed for cooperation and understanding from customers since the company intended to be selling all products of Dangote in future.

    “This is because in the course of transaction, you may step on some people’s toe in one way or the other, hence the need for cooperation and understanding.

    “We, therefore, appeal to customers to inform us whenever they realize a shoddy deal because we are here to serve their best interest.

    “We need vital information concerning high price, depreciation in quality standard and decrease in quantity, among others,” he said

     

  • Govt, Dangote sign 42.5km Obajana-Kabba road MoU

    Work is to commence in full as  the Dangote Group and the Federal Government signed a landmark contract document, yesterday in Abuja.

    The contract is for the construction of a 42.5KM Obajana-Kabba Road in Kogi State.

    The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing  Engr Magaji  Abdullahi Gusau signed on behalf of the Federal Goverenment while the Honorary Adviser to the President of the Dangote Group(Executive Director) Engr Joseph Makoju signed on behalf of the Dangote Group. Moakoju said the signing of the road project is a milestone in the history of the country.

    The concrete road to be built by AG Dangote construction company will cost the Dangote Group N11.5 billion but the job was awarded to the Group on tax concession basis at N5.24 billion.

    The difference of N6.2 billion is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the Dangote Group.

    The Managing Director of the AG Dangote Mr. Ashif Juma said the contract duration is 24-month but the Dangote Group has set a target for its completion at 16 months.

  • ‘Dangote Group has no plan to buy Arsenal’

    ‘Dangote Group has no plan to buy Arsenal’

    Dangote Group of Companies has dismissed as untrue the widely held notion that the company was on the verge of investing in English Premier League side, Arsenal FC.

    The Executive Director, Stakeholders Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Group of Companies, Engr. Mansur Ahmed during a media parley held in Kano said, the initiative to invest in Arsenal was not a business decision of the group.

    According to him, the interest to invest in the North London club was a personal decision and not in the interest of Aliko Dangote, who held sway as the Chairman, Dangote Group of Companies.

    Also, Mansur added that Aliko Dangote is a die-hard Arsenal fan, stressing that the intent is to invest in the club must have been influenced by his love for the Emirates lads.

    He said that the Board of Directors of the conglomerate had never expressed any interest in buying Arsenal, stating that, the interest in the club is by no means connected to his business.

    He pointed out that, when the news over Dangote’s interest was unfolded, many queried the personal decision of the business tycoon, “If he chooses to buy Enugu Rangers, people will say, why not Kano Pillars” he concluded.

  • Dangote Group plans $20b expansion in 10yrs

    Dangote Group plans $20b expansion in 10yrs

    Dangote Group is billed to spend over $20 billion over the next decade to increase the volume of its local manufacturing and improve and grow the nation’s economy.

    The Group’s Executive Director, Stakeholders’ Relations and Corporate Communications. Ahmed Mansur, has said.

    Mansur, who made this known yesterday in Lokoja, Kogi State, at a media briefing, said the company’s volume of cement production has increased from the initial eight million tonnes per annum in 2010 to 40 million tonnes per. adding that the Group is targeting a new  production level of between 75-80 million tonnes annually by 2020.

    He plans are underway to build a new cement plant in Edo State aimed at increasing the volume of cement production.

    Mansur said the company is making huge investments in the nation’s agricultural sector, so as to diversify the economy from its being dependent on oil revenues in view of the present realities in oil production and prices.

    He said the company has already commenced rice production in Jigawa State through outgrowers and that efforts are ongoing to begin rice production in Kogi, Niger and Kebbi states.

    He said these would enable the nation attain food sufficiency and stop the importation of foreign rice, presently costing the nation about $2 billion yearly.

    Mansur said the company was also investing in the area of oil and gas, adding that a refinery that will refine 650,000 barrel of crude oil per day is being built in the country.

    He said the company will be constructing gas pipelines from the south eastern part of the country to transport about three billion cubic metres of natural gas from the south to Lagos.

    He said that the various investments being embarked upon will generate more jobs for the unemployed, adding that the company has so far engaged about 15,000 people into direct jobs.

  • Dangote Group raises alarm on malicious use of its brand name

    Dangote Group raises alarm on malicious use of its brand name

    Dangote Group has raised the alarm over activities of online fraudsters, who are maliciously misrepresenting and misusing its brand image and that of its senior executives to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

    The fraudsters according to the Dangote Group perpetuate their wicked act through popular social network sites and also through other channels including email, SMS, special placements on e-commerce sites, specifically purporting Dangote Group to be recruiting and requesting payment for recruitment purpose or for the purchase of products such as Dangote Cement, Sugar, Salt, Rice and Flour at ridiculously discounted prices.

     Dangote Group on its website said: “We have been notified of several scams purporting to be sanctioned by Dangote Industries Limited (Dangote Group) or authorized by its top executives. These malicious acts aimed at defrauding unsuspecting members of the public are being perpetuated through several channels including e-mail, SMS, telephone, advert placement on e-commerce sites and more recently, online, through several fake accounts impersonating Dangote Industries Limited (referred to as Dangote Group) or its Executive Management, on a popular social network. 

    These scammers post fictitious messages instructing potential victims to contact representatives of the Dangote Group through phony e-mail, SMS and phone numbers, to pay a certain amount of money to personal accounts as processing fee. The contact e-mail is always BOGUS, containing the brand name, and registered on the public domain.

    Contrary to what is stated in these scam communication, the Dangote Group wish to alert members of the public that the Company is NOT INVOLVED in: Unsolicited job offers via e-mail or social network

    • Sales Promotion through social network/e-mail except otherwise communicated through our official website or authorized social network accounts provided below
    • Loans – Educational/Financial
    • Lottery draws/grant awards
    • Contract offer
    • Membership of fictitious bodies/associations

    While we work towards shutting down the activities and accounts of these scammers, and also prosecute these fraudsters, please note that:

    We ARE NOT engaged in the sale of our products (Cement, Salt, Sugar, Flour, Rice) through social network and third-party websites or through fictitious individuals who claim to represent the business interest of the Dangote Group

    • We DO NOT offer employment through social network, or request for monetary payment from job applicants, or for contract approval
    • We DO NOT solicit and/or offer business proposition through social network
    • We DO NOT authorize communication on behalf of the company through e-mail addresses other than dedicated e-mail addresses registered on the Dangote domain

    The Group urged caution in engaging with individuals claiming to represent the business interest of Dangote especially through social network and to report all suspicious activities to law enforcement or email fraudalert@dangote.com or call 08070188000.”

  • Dangote Group a ‘game changer,’ says Osinbajo

    Dangote Group a ‘game changer,’ says Osinbajo

    •Buhari makes case for made-in-Nigeria products

    vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described Dangote Group as a ‘game changer’ in the Nigerian economy.

    Speaking at the Nigerian Economic Summit yesterday in Abuja,  the Vice President described the: “Dangote Group is an example of a game changer private sector that has been supporting the economy in many areas.”

    “Once the Dangote refinery comes on stream, it will help with the forex issue and create jobs for our people,’ he said.

    Dangote Refinery is constructing a r 650,000 barrels a day refinery, one of the largest in the world.

    Osinbajo said the Buhari government has a ‘very clear policy and objective,’ eand urged Nigerians to have confidence in the government.

    Declaring the summit open, President Muhammadu Buhari said the private sector is key to his administration, adding that the theme for the 22nd summit: ‘Made in Nigeria’, is apt in view of the need to look inwardly and support local manufacturers.

    According to him, increasing local production of goods and services will not only create jobs for the youths but move Nigeria from an import-based to an export-based economy.

    He said: “I am also delighted that your theme is: ‘Made in Nigeria’ which lies at the heart of so many efforts we are making to lead us through this trouble times and lay a firm foundation for the future.

    “As I have said in the past, we need to diversify the economy so that we will never again have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country. So that we can produce the food we eat, make our own textiles, produce most of the things we use and create the right environment for our youth to be able to benefit and create jobs through technology.

    “This has been the commitment and the mandate of this administration and I have remain focus on it since the assumption of this administration.

    “There is clearly no better way to achieve this without building out economic foundation of made in Nigeria goods and services. Fortunately, we have champions of made in Nigeria that have defied the odds over the years to produce locally and contribute to our economy.

    “I hope by the end of this you will make useful and realistic recommendations and policies,” he said.

    The President added: “Initiative and incentives that will enhance your work we are already doing by this administration, I encourage more local production, to improve ease of doing business environment, transfer our technology and innovation capabilities, improve quality and standards, promote export and change our old attitude and behaviours to made in Nigeria products and services.

    “My greatest desire is that Nigeria moves from import dependence to self sufficiency in local production and become an export-led economy in goods and services.”

    Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group(NESG)  Kyari Bukar who commended the Dangote Group for its sponsorship, said the private sector is the engine of the economy and that it was time to diversify to other sectors.

    He said the summit: “Is an opportunity to tell ourselves the bitter truth and swallow the hard truth.”

    An Associate Professor from the Lagos Business School, Dr. Doyin Salami, said the Made in Nigeria concept was apt but that it must cover production, global competitiveness, inclusiveness and value addition to global economy.

    He regretted that the economy is shrinking and contracting, “and worse than stagflation.”

    “We don’t live in the past. It is not what has been done that matters. But what remains to be done,” he said.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi said his ministry is bringing in big ticket player into mining sector, just as he said that the sector has great potentials as Nigeria diversifies its economy.

    According to Dr Fayemi the Buhari government had pruned the cost of governance.

    The Dangote Group is one of the major sponsors of the three-day Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.

  • Dangote condemns rumors of GMO rice importation

    Dangote condemns rumors of GMO rice importation

    Dangote Group has vehemently condemned the malicious broadcast alleging a partnership between the company and the Federal Government for the importation and sales of genetically modified organism (GMO) rice.

    The said GMOs refer to a food item or an organism that has had its DNA altered or modified in some ways through genetic engineering. In most cases, GMOs have been altered with DNA from another organism, be it a bacterium, plant, virus or animal.

    According to the group in statement made available to pressmen on Tuesday, “it is absolutely false! Dangote is not involved in the production or sales of GMOs and its research in Nigeria or anywhere.

    “However, what people should know is the ground breaking progress Dangote Rice has made since 2014 when it stopped importation of rice and began local cultivation,” the statement read in part.

    Putting the records straight, the company stated the following:

    • 2014: Dangote signed $1billion agreement with FG or integrated rice production in Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa and Kwara
    • 2016: Started a multibillion naira Rice Outgrower Scheme over 8,000 hectares in Hadejia, Jigawa State
    • 2016: Created over 10,000 jobs (Direct and indirect) to farmers who are an integral part of the Rice Outgrower Scheme

    FARO 44 rice seeds distributed to farmers during the Outgrower Scheme was sourced from Africa Rice and certified by the National Agricultural Seeds Council.

    “The intent of this broadcast is to bring into disrepute the hard earned reputation of Dangote and the actualization of its vision of making Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production.

    “Moreover, with the ever watchful eagle eyes of organizations such as NAFDAC, SON, CPC with mandate to ensure food safety, how can a big organisation like Dangote import and flood the market with poisonous rice,” the group noted.

  • Enugu Chamber of Commerce hails Dangote Group

    Enugu Chamber of Commerce hails Dangote Group

    The Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Power (ECCIMA) has hailed the Dangote Group for establishing cement plants across Africa, describing the conglomerate as an emerging global player from Africa.

    President of ECCIMA Ugochukwu Chime spoke at the weekend during Dangote Group’s special day at the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair.

    He hailed the group for operating in almost every sector of the economy while adding value to the growth of the economy.

    Chime said more of Dangotes is what Nigeria needs to be an industrial giant globally, adding that the challenges facing the country presents opportunity to investors to do business in Nigeria.

    He said: “Dangote Group has gone beyond being a Nigerian conglomerate to an African conglomerate operating in many countries across the continent. It has demystified the production process, perfected backward integration and in years to come will become a global player, deepening the creation of wealth and employment generation.”

    “Dangote business and entrepreneurship indulgence has spread to many parts of the African continent, employing thousands of people across the world of which not less than 85 per cent are Nigerians.”

    Regional Sales Director, Southeast, Dangote Cement, Tunde Mabogunje, who led the Dangote Group team, said the group grew from a trading company to an integrated manufacturing conglomerate and succeeded in making Nigerian self-sufficient in goods that were imported in the past.

  • Dangote to reconstruct Apapa Road

    Dangote Construction Company, a subsidiary of Dangote Group, is to spend billions of naira to reconstruct the road leading to the Lagos Ports.

    The conglomerate, it was gathered, took the initiative to repair the road as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS),

    A source close to the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) told The Nation, that the road would be reconstructed from the Apapa Port to join Ijora Bridge at Leventist Bus Stop.

    The project, the official said, has been approved by the Federal Government.

    The General Manager, Western Ports, Chief Michael Kayode Ajayi, said all occupiers of the right of way, including owners of bill boards, have been given notice to remove them.

    He said the Apapa Police Command and the Nigerian Railway Corporation in Apapa are aware of the pending reconstruction.

    Ajayi said a temporary location has been provided under Ijora Bridge for all transport and haulage operators, urging terminal operators, Flour Mills of Nigeria and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigerian (MWUN) to cooperate with the company on the reconstruction.

  • ‘Africans need to drive development in the continent’

    ‘Africans need to drive development in the continent’

    The Special Adviser to President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Joseph Makoju, holds the view and very strongly too that aggressive investments in manufacturing across Africa by the indigenous conglomerate, is one sure way of driving African integration. To him, Africa is best developed by Africans, not by foreigners whose investments comes with a lot of strings attached. He spoke on this and other issues with Assistant Editor, Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

    The Dangote Zambia cement plant, the latest in the series of such investments in Africa, has just been inaugurated. What is your take on this?

    I thought I have seen it all after 40 years in the cement business until I came to Zambia cement plant. The factory is modern, state-of-the-art, with capacity to deliver high quality products at cheapest prices that will change the game in the cement industry in Zambia. With the plant, Nigeria has become the undisputed political and economic leader in Africa. We produce high quality products and have closed the cement demand gap. We hit the market with higher quality cement and at a low price. This has never happened in the country.  We came with our brand that is the toast of builders with its rapid setting quality. Our brand of 32.5 and 42.5 grade cement is a leader any day. The plant is significant in every material way with its 1.5 million tons capacity, with plans to have additional production line in the nearest future. Zambia has a rapidly growing economy, ranking 10th on World Bank list of “Ease of Doing Business.” Nigeria is made proud by the presence of Dangote Cement Industries and the enthusiasm that has greeted the inauguration of the factory.

    In all, what is the Group’s capacity, and how many countries are they operating in currently?

    We are in about 14 African countries, and at the moment we are already having over 25 million metric tons per annum in Africa. In Nigeria alone, we have 29 million tons per annum as our installed capacity. Apart from Nigeria, Dangote owns cement plants in other countries in Africa comprising Ghana, Cameroun, Senegal, Ethiopia, Congo, Cote d’ Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Niger, Mali and Zambia. While the company is already producing cement in Zambia, Ethiopia, South Africa, Senegal, Cameroun, Ghana and of course Nigeria, new plants in the other African nations have reached advanced stages of construction, with many to be commissioned very soon.

    How do these investments align with Nigeria position as leader in Africa?

    For so many years Nigerians have yearned to see Nigeria establish itself as a leader in Africa in concrete terms. We have all been frustrated when the country was unable to rise up. But you will agree with me that in the last few years with the political changes and with the economic advancement of Dangote in African countries and its strong presence, any Nigerian anywhere, can stand up to be counted. Nigeria can confidently assert itself as not only the political leader of Africa, but also her economic leader. It is more about economic diplomacy rather than political diplomacy. But what Dangote is doing here is strengthening Nigeria’s position undisputedly as the leader of Africa, politically and economically.

    The Zambian government gave incentives to investors. Do we have such incentives in Nigeria to attract foreign investors?

    Dangote is a philanthropist, but when it comes to investment, investors are not philanthropists; they will only go where they would make good investment returns and investors cannot invest in just any country but in countries that they are given special, attractive incentives in terms of tax and other reliefs. In Zambia, we have a good welcome; the government is very progressive, they are out to attract investors like Dangote. We have responded to the favorable environment created here.

    How many jobs has this plant created?

    This is a cement plant and it is very hi-tech. Usually, you find out that the actual operators on the plant are not too many, but with this plant we will have 750 operators. In terms of real employment generation, it has a big multiplier effect because many industries are going to grown around here from our experience with other plants. Besides, we are also investing in the haulage sector. Ours will take off next week and they will be employing over 2,000 workers. So looking at this plant alone, in a very short period of time, we will be accounting for direct and indirect employment of over 10, 000 workers and it will continue to grow.

    Will the investments bring down the price of cement?

    Our operations are huge with large installed capacity that has made us self-sufficient in cement and a net exporter of same in the sub-region. The price of cement in the last four years has been going down. This is not considering the cost-push effects in our operating environment. I can confidently tell you that the price will be lower. We are on the right track, we are stabilising the market, increasing our efficiency and we believe that going forward, cement price can only go one way despite the other cost-push effect like devaluation of naira and other pressures on the operating cost. We have succeeded in holding the price of cement down and the cement industry should be highly commended for this because most other manufacturers have not been able to do this; they passed on the increases by increasing their prices.  But in our case, we are allowing the forces of demand and supply to take its course. We did not hold the price down but the prices are actually going down.