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Dangote Cement to Establish Academy for Block Making, Artisans to Combat Building Collapse Menace

Published

2 months ago

August 2, 2023

Dangote Cement Plc, at the ongoing Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) in Abuja, announced its visionary plan to set up an academy focused on equipping block makers and artisans with essential skills to promote safer construction practices and combat building collapse in the country.

The National Sales Director of Dangote Cement, Funmi Sanni, revealed that the decision to establish the academy was spurred by the aging workforce of artisans and block makers, coupled with the lack of interest among the younger generation in pursuing these professions.

The company believes that imparting the right skills to artisans will significantly reduce the prevalence of quackery in the construction industry.

Speaking at the AIHS event, Funmi Sanni said, “One of the sure ways of reducing the phenomenon of building collapse is to check quackery while imparting the needed skills to the block makers and artisans. We want to ensure a seamless transfer of requisite skills to the next generation of construction workers, promoting safer and more durable buildings.”

In addition to skill training, Dangote Cement has pledged its support by providing machinery and tools to block makers who successfully complete the academy’s training programs. This support aims to empower the artisans to work efficiently and uphold the highest standards in their craft.

Rabiu Umar, the Head of Sales and Marketing at Dangote Cement Group, highlighted the company’s significant contributions to the real estate sector, transforming Nigeria from a cement-importing nation to an exporter within two decades.

Umar also identified rapid urbanization and the escalating costs of construction materials as major challenges contributing to the housing deficit in Nigeria.

“Dangote Cement is committed to addressing housing shortages by engaging in project partnerships, collaborations, and participation in real estate development initiatives in Nigeria. Our large cement plants across the country and other African nations ensure a steady supply of the essential raw material for the housing sector,” Rabiu Umar stated.

The Technical Sales Head, Aniki Ayodeji, affirmed that the company currently trains artisans on the correct mix of materials to ensure the construction of structurally sound buildings.

On the sidelines of the AIHS, Festus Adebayo made an earnest appeal to the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, urging him to extend the company’s influence towards mitigating the massive housing deficit in Nigeria.

Comparing it to the government’s successful partnership in road construction, Adebayo emphasized that addressing the housing crisis is equally crucial for the well-being and stability of the nation.

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Dangote Refinery Controversy: Safety, Quality, and Financial Woes Unveiled

Tension Between Aliko Dangote and NNPC Raises Concerns Over Nigeria’s Oil Industry

Published

5 hours ago

September 22, 2023

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The Dangote Refinery, an ambitious project by Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, has found itself engulfed in a whirlwind of controversy, pitting Dangote against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

This recent dispute, marked by safety concerns, incomplete construction, and financial woes, has left many questioning the ethics, quality, and viability of Africa’s largest refinery.

Sources close to the situation reveal that Aliko Dangote is seeking the elusive license to commence operations, the final crucial step before production can begin at the refinery.

However, the NNPC, Nigeria’s regulatory body, has balked at granting the license due to legitimate safety concerns, chiefly stemming from the incomplete status of the facility.

Also, Dangote’s bid to purchase crude oil from the NNPC was met with a firm denial, citing the refinery’s incomplete status as a deterrent. This has sparked allegations that Dangote may be considering unconventional methods, such as sourcing Nigeria’s crude through trading houses, which could be viewed as circumventing established procedures.

Even if Dangote manages to secure the necessary crude oil, concerns regarding safety and product quality persist. Workers within the Dangote Group, as well as contractors and some NNPC officials, have voiced apprehensions about commencing refinery operations prematurely.

The current state of the refinery only allows for the initial phase of crude distillation, a process akin to operations found in illegal refineries within the Niger Delta region. The unfinished catalytic cracking unit further amplifies worries about the quality of refined products.

Amid these concerns, it appears that Dangote’s motivations may be driven by financial pressures. Reports suggest that the Dangote Group is grappling with substantial debt, potentially jeopardizing the company’s stability if it fails to secure additional funds for loan repayments by December. This financial strain could be the driving force behind Dangote’s eagerness to obtain the operating license, even without the refinery being fully ready.

Recalling events from earlier this year, the uncompleted refinery was hastily commissioned by former President Buhari. This move aimed to grant Dangote access to additional equity funding from the Nigerian Government and secure a crude oil allocation of 300,000 barrels per day. This allocation was intended to be sold to raise funds for creditors and aid in completing the refinery.

However, when the new administration of President Tinubu took office, it was discovered that the refinery was far from completion, raising suspicions that it was falsely commissioned to secure the crude allocation for export.

The ongoing standoff between Aliko Dangote and the NNPC illuminates broader issues surrounding safety, quality, and financial stability plaguing the Dangote Refinery project.

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Dangote Industries Limited Reaffirms Commitment to Bolstering Employment Opportunities for Nigerians

Dangote Industries Limited has underscored its unwavering dedication to fostering employment opportunities and advancing the cause of decent work for the Nigerian populace.

Published

3 days ago

September 19, 2023

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Dangote Industries Limited has reiterated its steadfast investment in critical sectors of the nation’s economy to facilitate job creation and stimulate the growth of meaningful employment.

Speaking during the induction ceremony of a new cohort of graduate trainees, Mr. Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group, highlighted the company’s transformative journey from a commodity trading entity to a manufacturing powerhouse.

This evolution is a testament to their unwavering mission to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s industrial development, consequently positioning the nation prominently in the African industrial landscape.

“The core mission of our group is to improve the lives of the people by addressing their fundamental needs. This noble objective can only be achieved through the production of essential goods that cater to the needs of our people. This is why we have made massive investments across various sectors of the economy,” stated Mr. Dangote.

Mr. Dangote further emphasized the pivotal role that manufacturing plays in meeting the needs of the populace and its potent ability to combat poverty by creating job opportunities.

He commended the ongoing graduate trainee program as a tangible manifestation of their commitment to employment generation, recognizing its positive impact on the lives of countless individuals.

In a strategic move aimed at fulfilling their goal of job creation and addressing the basic needs of the Nigerian people, Mr. Dangote revealed that his Group has expanded its business portfolio with three significant investments valued at over $20 billion.

These investments encompass the refinery, petrochemical, and fertilizer sectors, with the potential to not only bolster the nation’s economy but also reinvigorate Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.

Also, these initiatives are anticipated to generate approximately $16 billion in foreign exchange earnings and offer an impressive aggregate of 250,000 jobs, thereby contributing to the reduction of youth unemployment in the country.

Dangote Industries Limited remains unwavering in its commitment to making substantial contributions to Nigeria’s industrial landscape, and its dedication to providing employment opportunities that uplift the lives of Nigerians is undeniably resolute.

The Group’s continuous investments in critical sectors reflect a steadfast commitment to shaping a brighter future for both the nation and its people.

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Gas Retailers Issue Warning: Cooking Gas Prices Could Soar to N18,000 by December

Published

5 days ago

September 18, 2023

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Gas retailers are sounding the alarm, cautioning that the price of a 12.5kg cooking gas cylinder may skyrocket to N18,000 by December if the Federal Government does not take swift action to regulate the activities of terminal owners.

Olatunbosun Oladapo, President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, disclosed this during an interview on Sunday.

He revealed that the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, has increased substantially at terminals.

The cost has surged from a range of N9-N10 million per 20 metric tons to an alarming N14 million per 20 metric tons.

Olatunbosun warned, “There is an outrageous surge in gas prices happening right now, and I am apprehensive that if the Federal Government fails to intervene and oversee the activities of these terminal owners, prices could skyrocket to as high as N18 million per metric ton by December. This would mean that a 12.5kg cylinder could cost as much as N18,000.”

According to him, terminal owners are using the excuse of high foreign exchange rates to justify their price increases, ultimately adding to the burden of the masses.

Olatunbosun however stated that there is no justifiable reason for this price hike, as the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) continues to supply the market.

He explained, “NNPCL currently purchases 59 percent of the gas produced by NLNG, even though NLNG has raised its prices from N6 million to N8 million. Now, due to NLNG’s price hike, NNPCL and terminal owners have pushed prices to N14 million.”

He also pointed out that the impending price increase is not the fault of retailers but rather lies with NLNG and terminal owners.

He revealed that just last week, gas was selling at N800 per kilogram at the terminal, but it has now risen to N1,200 and could potentially reach N1,500 by December if immediate action is not taken.

Olatunbosun lamented, “Now, the average person will struggle to afford gas. How many minimum wage earners can afford gas now? People are resorting to firewood and charcoal. What is surprising is that they met with President Tinubu last week and pledged to collaborate with his administration to improve lives. Now, they have gone back on their word. Where are the promised palliatives and buses? We have not seen anything.”