LCCI applauds Dangote Group for poverty reduction, economic development in Nigeria
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), representing the Organized Private Sector, praised Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) on Wednesday for its role in reducing poverty in Nigeria.
The Chamber highlighted the huge employment opportunities that the Dangote Refinery will create for the youth when it becomes fully operational.
Dr Micheal Olawale-Cole, President of the Chamber, said that Dangote Group has created more jobs than any other private sector operator in the country.
He noted that Dangote is the largest employer of labour in Nigeria, after the Federal Government.
Dr Olawale-Cole spoke at the Lagos International Trade Fair during the “Dangote Day” on Wednesday.
He said that the leading indigenous conglomerate has made a significant impact on solving the problem of unemployment and alleviating the poverty level among Nigerians.
He also said that the company’s entry into the oil and gas sector would end the perennial issue of fuel scarcity in Nigeria and contribute greatly to the GDP and the overall economic development of Nigeria.
He commended Dangote Group for its products and services that have touched the lives of millions of people across Africa and beyond. He urged other corporate bodies to emulate Dangote in supporting the Government, through the provision of infrastructure, even if it must be through a tax credit scheme, introduced by the Federal Government.
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who was represented by the Group’s Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Hajia Fatima Aliko-Dangote, said in a keynote address that the Group is passionate about enhancing the Nigerian economy through industrialisation, job creation, provision and rehabilitation of essential infrastructure, and the welfare of the citizens.
He said, “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.”
He agreed with the theme of the Trade Fair “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value” and said that value creation should be the goal of any business.
He said, “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 accelerate the 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 added that the company’s Food subsidiaries are providing jobs through various schemes, such as the out-grower scheme for Dangote Sugar Refinery, which has employed thousands of farmers in the host communities.
He also said that Dangote Fertiliser has helped to transform the agriculture sector in Nigeria, while the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, will drive the development of ancillary industries that will use the byproducts as raw materials.
He further said that the company is collaborating with 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) to equip Nigerians with the necessary industrial and technological skills.
