The Enugu Chamber of Commerce Industries Mines and Agriculture ECCIMA has declared that the Dangote Group has added a lot of value to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
President of ECCIMA, Sir Odega Jideonwo made the declaration at the Dangote Special Day at the ongoing Enugu International Trade Fair. He said that the recent investment into the oil and gas industry has taken the company to another level.
According to him, “The exploits of the Dangote Group shows a great level and high degree of vision, creative thinking, research, innovations, doggedness, hard work and industry which has culminated in what one can describe as the Dangote business and industrial empire today
“I have no doubt that in the years to come, Dangote Group would become not just a big industrial player in Nigeria and Africa, but the entire globe, deepening the creation of wealth and employment”. Jideonwo said.
He expressed happiness that Dangote has been part of the ECCIMA success story in the hosting of the Enugu International Trade Fair over the years and more importantly, have been major sponsors of the fair for the past 4 years.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Regional Director South East for the Dangote Group, Ayirioritse Okerentie expressed believe that the Dangote industrial/manufacturing sector has the capacity to impact significantly on the economy especially in the creation of jobs, provision of goods, reduction in imports of finished products and adding of value to Nigeria.
According to him, “The industrial/manufacturing sector is labour intensive, could create millions of both direct and indirect employments for people of diverse skills such as administrators, accountants, engineers, technicians, marketing & sales among others. It can also create indirect employment for supply chain actors in other sectors of the economy such as raw materials suppliers, logistics and transportation, farmers, and miners
“Our recent flagship project, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has exported refined petroleum products such as aviation fuel, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), automotive gas oil, naphtha to many African, European, American and Asian markets. These products conform to the Euro V specifications.
“The Dangote Petrochemical Complex has kicked off the production of polypropylene, a major raw material used in textile, plastic, furniture and pharmaceutical sectors. According to the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria(MAN), the country imports 90 percent of its annual polypropylene requirements (amounting to 250,000 metric tonnes), but will now become a net exporter, generating foreign exchange to strengthen the economy. We are optimistic that many new manufacturing outfits will emerge relying on both the products and byproducts of the petroleum complex as feedstock in their production processes.
“As a conglomerate driving the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, while we produce critical household items, some of our other products serve as either feedstock or raw materials for other manufacturers. The evolution of these mutual interdependent industries is expected to revolutionise Nigeria’s economy by creating linkages between different industrial sectors. The linkages will provide cushions to the economy, preventing disruptions in production as raw materials are available. Linkages are vital in sustainable economic and industrial development.
“We are envisaging a connected and interlinked manufacturing sector that will produce goods that are usually imported, and in the process create more jobs for the growing youth population.
“Our participation in this Fair, apart from the exhibitions, is to seek connections with other businesses. We have dedicated staff on ground manning the offices at our stand who are to provide necessary information to all businesses and individuals who desire to do business with us.
Our interventions
“We have commenced export of products from our petroleum refinery to other parts of the world. We also export fertiliser. These exports have upended the distributive system which sees Nigeria as an end destination, now to a country of origin of refined products and byproducts such as Naphtha. The change comes with attendant benefits as vessels berthing and queueing in Nigeria to receive products for export, with the attendant income for the nation.
“Road Construction and Rehabilitation
Our intervention in road construction, through partnerships with both federal and state governments, is well documented. Dangote Group has actively participated in road construction and rehabilitation projects aimed at improving transport conditions. We reconstructed the Obajana-Kabba road as well as the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki expressway in Lagos. We are reconstructing the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway using concrete. Concrete roads are more durable than the normal asphalt roads, with an estimated lifespan of 100 years.
Trade Financing/Taxation. He stated
Dangote Group also plays a critical role in export financing, particularly through its cement business. With operations in over 10 African countries, the group has facilitated the export of cement from Nigeria to other African markets. Dangote Fertiliser has exported several ship loads of fertiliser to France, USA, Mexico, Uruguay and Argentina and to African countries which include Republic of Benin, Zambia, Cameroon, South Africa, Cote’ Ivoire and Mozambique. Dangote Petroleum Refinery has also exported refined petroleum to several countries. Through this, Dangote Group strengthens Nigeria’s position in regional trade.
“Dangote Fertiliser Limited is the largest Granulated Urea Fertiliser complex in Africa. The plant has a capacity of 3 MMTPA, with a vision to make Nigeria self-reliant in food production by improving crop yield and overall productivity for the farmers.
“Dangote Sugar is a leading brand that has made a remarkable impact on the Nigerian sugar sector. The company is committed to ensure that Nigeria ends the importation of raw sugar into the country by actively intensifying its execution of the Sugar Backward Integration. In this regard, it has committed over $700 million in land acquisition, machinery, infrastructure, manpower, community relations, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and other impactful activities.
“Similarly, to support the government in Food Security, we are also investing in the agricultural sector. These agricultural products will soon be in the market.
NASCON Allied Industries Plc (Dangote Salt), one of our subsidiaries that produces salt, seasoning and spices. Our flagship product, Dangote table salt is a finely refined product for home/domestic use. In line with the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCID), Dangote refined salt is iodized to promote good health by reducing the chances/risks of iodine deficiency. Dangote salt is refined from the finest quality sea-salts.
“Our expectations therefore are that through this Trade Fair, we will be able to expand awareness for our innovative products, generate sales, get prospective buyers, improve the image of our brands and open new markets that will further translate to job creation and overall economic development.
“We are confident that this longstanding partnership with ECCIMA will not only be beneficial to both of us, but to the Nigerian, and indeed the African economy as whole.
“The theme for the fair, “Developing Nigeria Industrial Sector/SMEs for Economic Advancement & Global Recognition” resonates with us at Dangote Industries Ltd. We are Africa’s foremost indigenous manufacturing conglomerate. Okerentie said.
