Dangote Group Sets to Boost Infrastructure In Kogi
The Dangote Group; owner of Obaja Cement Company Limited and one of the companies that are currently exploring coal in Ankpa local government area has expressed readiness to boost Kogi State's infrastructure development in road construction, agriculture, health and youth development.
This was made known as the President and Chief Executive of the company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote paid a courtesy visit to the state governor, Alh Yahaya Bello in Lokoja yesterday.
He noted that he was in the state to interact with the government of Kogi State and to look into the state's infrastructure master plan and assist the government in boosting road construction, agriculture, health and youth development.
In his words, "Kogi State is our biggest partner in Nigeria. We are here to look into critical areas where we can help to develop the state.
"We are currently constructing concrete road of 46km from Obajana-Kabba which is through tax concession with the Federal Government.
"When the Federal Government mobilised contractors to work on the road about nine years ago, the least cost reached with one of the bided companies was about nine billion Naira but we are building this road at one billion naira per/year for a period of five years through tax concession so, if you look at it, it's almost free but we are willing to make impact in Kogi State" he said.
While expressing the company's readiness to build and maintain the largest farm in Kogi, Dangote said all they ask from the government is land availability to start the building of the farm. He said they are going into selecting one of the two major crops; rice and cassava that has significant high yield in Kogi State and mechanise its production.
He said through large-scale agriculture, thousands of youth in kogi will be engaged meaningfully, noting that the Dangote Group will provide agrochemicals, improved seedlings, fertilizers and some farm equipment to farmers at no cost.
"We are going to ensure that during the harvest, the farmers would not have to look for buyers; we will come and buy the produce from them so that they can maximize profit at the end.
"This is the sure way of making farming attractive to both the young and the old". He said
He added that the group will support the state's health sector through the Dangote Foundation.
In swift reaction, the The State Governor, Alhaji. Yahaya Bello thanked the Dangote Group while reiterating the desire of his administration to partner with meaningful investors who want to do business in the state.
He said the Dangote Group has kept fate with their Cooperate Social Responsibility, adding that the group has pledged the sum of One hundred million Naira to the vulnerable and indigent members of the society last year and has also made commitment to the organization and success of Igala Cultural Festival which comes up later this month.
The Kogi helmsman noted that the state government and the Dangote Group will partner to construct one major road in each of the three senatorial district of the state, using concrete, saying team of expert from Dangote Group will be in the state immediately after Ramadan to finalize the plans.
While assuring the Dangote Group and other investors of the safety of their businesses, Bello said the state has flexible policy that attract investors and assured Aliko Dangote of land availability for the establishment of the company's farm in the state.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the commissioner for Commerce and Industry,
Hon Sanusi Usman commended the Dangote Group for their steady partnership with Kogi State while assuring the company of improved security of their businesses within the state, noting the current government under the leadership of Yahaya Bello has made significant effort in addressing security challenges in the state.
While highlighting the roadmap of Bello's administration, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Edward Onoja stat
This was made known as the President and Chief Executive of the company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote paid a courtesy visit to the state governor, Alh Yahaya Bello in Lokoja yesterday.
He noted that he was in the state to interact with the government of Kogi State and to look into the state's infrastructure master plan and assist the government in boosting road construction, agriculture, health and youth development.
In his words, "Kogi State is our biggest partner in Nigeria. We are here to look into critical areas where we can help to develop the state.
"We are currently constructing concrete road of 46km from Obajana-Kabba which is through tax concession with the Federal Government.
"When the Federal Government mobilised contractors to work on the road about nine years ago, the least cost reached with one of the bided companies was about nine billion Naira but we are building this road at one billion naira per/year for a period of five years through tax concession so, if you look at it, it's almost free but we are willing to make impact in Kogi State" he said.
While expressing the company's readiness to build and maintain the largest farm in Kogi, Dangote said all they ask from the government is land availability to start the building of the farm. He said they are going into selecting one of the two major crops; rice and cassava that has significant high yield in Kogi State and mechanise its production.
He said through large-scale agriculture, thousands of youth in kogi will be engaged meaningfully, noting that the Dangote Group will provide agrochemicals, improved seedlings, fertilizers and some farm equipment to farmers at no cost.
"We are going to ensure that during the harvest, the farmers would not have to look for buyers; we will come and buy the produce from them so that they can maximize profit at the end.
"This is the sure way of making farming attractive to both the young and the old". He said
He added that the group will support the state's health sector through the Dangote Foundation.
In swift reaction, the The State Governor, Alhaji. Yahaya Bello thanked the Dangote Group while reiterating the desire of his administration to partner with meaningful investors who want to do business in the state.
He said the Dangote Group has kept fate with their Cooperate Social Responsibility, adding that the group has pledged the sum of One hundred million Naira to the vulnerable and indigent members of the society last year and has also made commitment to the organization and success of Igala Cultural Festival which comes up later this month.
The Kogi helmsman noted that the state government and the Dangote Group will partner to construct one major road in each of the three senatorial district of the state, using concrete, saying team of expert from Dangote Group will be in the state immediately after Ramadan to finalize the plans.
While assuring the Dangote Group and other investors of the safety of their businesses, Bello said the state has flexible policy that attract investors and assured Aliko Dangote of land availability for the establishment of the company's farm in the state.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the commissioner for Commerce and Industry,
Hon Sanusi Usman commended the Dangote Group for their steady partnership with Kogi State while assuring the company of improved security of their businesses within the state, noting the current government under the leadership of Yahaya Bello has made significant effort in addressing security challenges in the state.
While highlighting the roadmap of Bello's administration, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Edward Onoja stat
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