FILE PHOTO: Dangote Cement signs 5-year CDA with host communities |
As a demonstration of its commitment to human capital and infrastructural development of its host communities, leading Cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement Plc has signed a new refined five-year Community Development Agreement (CDA) with its Ibese plant host communities.
In what was described as a novel idea, the decision to sign
the agreement in the full glare of the public, management of Dangote Cement,
Ibese plant said the move was to underpin the fact that the company was
irrevocably committed to the wellbeing of the residents in all the communities.
The Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant Director, Mr. Azad
Nawabuddin explained that the signing of the CDA is the beginning of a new dawn
both for the Company and the host communities in the execution of the laid out
social investment projects under the company’s Corporate Social
Responsibilities (CSR) activities.
According to him, the CDA specifies Dangote Cement, Ibese
Plant’s commitment to building infrastructural projects for the socio-economic
development of the host communities which are well deserving.
“We gather as key stakeholders in fulfilment of the
provisions of section 116 of the Minerals and Mining Act 2007, and 193 of the
Minerals and Mining Regulation 2011 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This occasion is a demonstration of our commitment to the
development and overall well-being of our host communities and their people, as
a responsible corporate entity. It also provides an opportunity to renew and
refresh existing partnership between Dangote Cement and its major stakeholders
in complementing the effort of the Government in nation building.
“Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant signed the first Community
Development Agreement with its host communities in 2013. This marked the
beginning of concrete infrastructural and social supports in the areas of
Employment, Education, Health, Training and Empowerment, Road, Potable Water,
Electrification and so on, that have contributed immensely to improving the
standard of living in our communities.
“The new CDA is an improvement as it is fashioned to surpass
previous performance through positive impact on the various stakeholder groups,
especially the vulnerable in our communities. In putting this together, we had
applied all the lessons learnt during the implementation of the former and
thoroughly engaged with the different stakeholder groups across the now
seventeen (17) host communities, with the guidance of the Federal Ministry of
Mines and Steel development.
“The document clearly states the consultative framework for
engagements, grievance management and obligations of both the Plant and the
host communities for mutual growth and development. It is clearly a path to
define relationships, commitments, obligations and expectations with potential
to address immediate concerns and future social issues that may arise in the
course of the relationship between the Plant and our host communities, once all
parties are committed to its full implementation.”
Nawabuddin then expressed the appreciation of the management
to the royal fathers of the host communities who appended their signatures to
the CDA, for the peace and tranquility in the communities which has helped the
Company to operate unhindered though there were occasional disagreements but
which were quickly resolved in the best interest of all parties.
The Plant Director, while promising that Dangote Cement is
committed to the fulfilment of all its obligations as stated in the agreement,
he requested the host communities to “keep your end of the bargain by
supporting and collaborating with us to foster all round development. Be
assured that we are always ready to listen, dialogue and resolve all concerns.”
One after another the traditional rulers and other
communities’ leaders took turn to comment of the CDA, especially on the
transparent nature of the drafting and the public signing and expressed their
satisfaction with the fresh agreement that will accelerate socio-economic
development of their domains.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Olu of Aga-Olowo, Oba Kayode
Adio Kusoro expressed his community’s appreciation to the management of Dangote
Cement for its warm reception and commitment to its CSR for the host
communities.
While commending the company’s openness and transparency in
the all-inclusive agreement signing process, the monarch, however, expressed the
hope that the company will keep faith with the letters of the agreement.
In his own assessment of the event, the Olu of Imasayi, Oba
Lukmon Olalekan Adeleke Kuoye, said that the signing of the new agreement was a
clear departure from the past exercises as all the representatives of the host
communities and stakeholders were involved in the review and signing of the
fresh agreement.
He stated that what the communities owe Dangote Cement is
continuous collaboration to ensure the Company operates in a an environment
devoid of crisis which he promised the royal fathers would work towards
In his own remark, the Aboro of Iboroland, Oba Daniel
Abayomi Salako expressed his satisfaction with the fresh agreement which he
considered to be better and more inclusive that the previous ones. Said he,
“This CDA is good for us all. Though the fresh agreement is limited to the
existing seventeen host communities and cannot cover the entire Yewaland for
now but it is subject to future amendments that will conceive legacy projects
for the benefits of the people of Yewaland”.
The monarch reiterated the fact that Dangote Cement, Ibese,
at the moment carries out its CSR in line with the Nigerian standard limiting
its community development activities to the host communities.
While appealing to Yewa communities not captured in the
current 5-year agreement to be patient with the company, Oba Abayomi was full
of gratitude to the cement company for keeping faith with its Corporate Social
Responsibilities to the host communities.
The Awijako of Ijako Orile, Oba Rev. Mathew Alabi Ewedairo,
in his own comment, expressed the fact that the signed document was intended to
accelerate the socio-economic development of the host communities and that he
has unflinching trust and confidence in the management of Dangote Cement Plc,
Ibese to live up to their promises as contained in the agreement.
With the signing of the fresh agreement, each of the host
communities will, within the next five years, (2022-2026) be entitled to
specific projects that will add value to the lives and livelihood of their
people.
The ceremony, which held at the Ibese plant of the company
also had in attendance, Head Community Affairs and Environment, Dangote Cement,
Engr. Tukur Lawal; the representatives of the Minister of Mines, Mr. Raphael
Abdulai; and Ogun State Government, Chairman of Yewa-North Local Government
Area, Hon. Ogunyomi Oluwole; the traditional rulers & baales of the host
communities of Ibese, Iboro, Imasayi, Aga-Olowo, Onigbedu and Ijoko-Orile, etc,
as well as members of the Joint Consultative Committee, women and youth
leaders.
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