Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko Plant, has rolled out a wide-ranging social intervention programme aimed at promoting sustainable economic empowerment and improving the living conditions of its host communities in Benue State.
The initiative was unveiled on Monday during a community engagement ceremony held in Gboko, where the Head of Social Performance of Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko Plant, Dr Johnson Kor, explained that the programmes were designed and implemented in line with a mutually agreed Community Development Agreement between the company and its host communities.
According to a statement issued by the company, Dr Kor said the agreement was signed in December 2024 between Dangote Group and six mining communities, with Mbayion Community serving as the primary host community.
“In December 2024, Dangote Group entered into a Community Development Agreement with the six mining communities, including the Mbayion Community, which is the host community. Several projects were earmarked to cover a period of five years,” Kor said.
He explained that the agreement was structured to ensure that communities hosting the company’s mining and production activities directly benefit from social and economic development initiatives. Since the signing of the agreement, he said Dangote Cement Gboko Plant has executed several projects, while others are at different stages of implementation.
Kor noted that the social programmes focus on empowerment, skills development, and access to basic amenities, with the aim of improving livelihoods and supporting long-term development in the affected communities. He listed some of the key interventions to include the Women Empowerment Programme, the Farmers Empowerment Programme, and the Youth Empowerment Programme.
According to him, these programmes were carefully designed to address the specific needs of women, farmers, and young people within the host communities, many of whom depend on small-scale farming, trading, and informal jobs for survival.
As part of the youth-focused initiatives, Dangote Cement presented certificates and starter packs to 30 beneficiaries who successfully completed the Youth Skill Development Programme. The graduates were trained in various vocational and technical skills, with the starter packs meant to help them begin their trades immediately.
Kor said the company deliberately provided starter packs to ensure that the beneficiaries could put their newly acquired skills into practice without delay and work towards becoming self-reliant.
“The idea is not just to train people, but to empower them to stand on their own. By providing certificates and starter packs, we are supporting these young people to start earning a living and contribute positively to their communities,” he said.
Beyond skills development, Kor disclosed that the company has also invested in improving access to clean and safe water in surrounding communities. He said several motorised boreholes have been completed and commissioned in Mbaswa, Agboghol, Mbatyu, and Pass Brothers communities.
According to him, the water projects were identified as priority needs during consultations with community leaders and residents, as many of the areas previously struggled with access to potable water.
“These boreholes are meant to improve access to clean water, reduce the burden on women and children, and contribute to better health outcomes in the communities,” Kor added.
Also speaking at the event, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko Plant, who was represented by the General Manager, Finance, Olusegun Orebanjo, said the company considers its host communities as key stakeholders and partners in its operations.
“At Dangote Cement Plc, we do not see our host communities merely as neighbours, but as valued partners in progress,” Orebanjo said.
He explained that the company’s operations in Gboko are guided by the belief that business growth should go hand in hand with community development and social wellbeing.
“Our presence in Gboko is built on a strong belief that business success must go hand in hand with community wellbeing, and this philosophy continues to guide our operations and social investments. Today’s event is a clear expression of that shared journey,” he added.
Orebanjo further assured community members and other stakeholders that Dangote Cement Gboko Plant remains committed to fully implementing all projects outlined in the Community Development Agreement.
He acknowledged that while some projects are yet to commence, the delays were due to technical and operational challenges rather than lack of commitment.
“Several Community Development Agreement projects are currently ongoing and progressing steadily. While some projects are yet to commence due to technical complexities, we are actively addressing these challenges,” he said.
He assured that all outstanding projects would be executed in the coming year, alongside new initiatives aimed at expanding the company’s social impact and strengthening its relationship with host communities.
Community leaders and residents present at the event welcomed the interventions, noting that access to skills training, clean water, and economic opportunities would help improve living standards and reduce social tensions in the area.
The Dangote Cement Gboko Plant has been operating in Benue State for several years and remains one of the major industrial employers in the area. Through its Community Development Agreement and related social programmes, the company says it aims to maintain peaceful coexistence, support inclusive growth, and contribute to sustainable development within its areas of operation.
