LCCI hails Dangote on infrastructure devt, job creation

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By Kehinde Ibrahim, Lagos

THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has lauded Dangote Industries Limited for its sustained efforts at providing basic infrastructure through various intervention projects.

The LCCI said Dangote Industries Limited contributed significantly in providing solutions to the problems governments have not been able to solve in areas of food sufficiency, road construction, housing, and energy.

The LCCI President, Dr. Micheal Olawale-Cole, said this at Dangote Group’s Special day at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair on Wednesday.

Olawale-Cole stated that Dangote Group has been at the forefront of job creation, saying its products and services have touched the lives of millions of people across the African continent and beyond.

He enjoined other corporate bodies to toe the line of Dangote in assisting the government, through the provision of infrastructure, “even if it has to be through a tax credit scheme, introduced by the Federal Government.”

Welcoming the participants, the Group Chief Commercial Officer, Dangote Group, Rabiu Umar, said the company was passionate about deepening 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.

“Our participation at all major trade fairs across Nigeria demonstrates our belief that Chambers of Commerce and Industry occupy a unique position in driving economic development through their activities.

“Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) occupies a unique position as the pioneering chamber and has continued to play a ‘significant role in the economic growth of Lagos and Nigeria in general.”

Umar stated that the theme of the fair ‘Connecting Businesses, Creating Value’, resonates with Dangote Group, noting that investment decisions were focused on creating value for all stakeholders across the subsidiaries.

“we have invested in several projects which are meant to create jobs and enhance rapid industrialisation of the Nigerian economy,” he added.

Giving an insight into the activities of the subsidiaries, he said the activities of Dangote Cement have had a multiplier effect, providing direct and indirect employment to millions of people across Africa.

Umar said: “Our food subsidiaries, Dangote Sugar Refinery, NASCON Allied Industries (Dangote Salt), and Dangote Rice are providing jobs through various schemes. Dangote Sugar Refinery, through its out-grower scheme, has provided jobs to thousands of farmers in the host communities.

“The coming of Dangote Fertiliser has to a great extent helped to change the face of agriculture in Nigeria while the Dangote Petroleum Refinery when functional will drive the development of ancillary industries which will utilise the byproducts as raw materials.”

Dangote Sugar Refinery also unveiled its new retail sugar packs at the event.

The Head of Sales and Marketing, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Rilwan Yusuf, while speaking during the unveiling, said the new packs which come in three variants, 1 kg, 500 g and 250 g will improve on-shelf brand visibility and enhance consumer preference for the company.

“The new product package will establish a clear differentiation and enhance the attractiveness of the pack,” he said.