The president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said he is looking into the possibility of starting cement production in Gombe state, to serve the Northeast sub-region.
He disclosed this to newsmen at the weekend in Gombe, after a closed-door meeting with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the Government House, Gombe
Our correspondent reports that Dangote was in Gombe for a wedding Fatiha of the daughter of the Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Limited, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga
According to him, the Dangote Group is ready to take advantage of Gombe state’s favourable business environment and the huge limestone, coal and gypsum deposits in the state to commence cement manufacturing.
He said, “We have had fruitful discussions on our investment plans with Governor Yahaya. In fact Gombe state should be one of the highest producers of cement in the country. It is one of the very lucrative areas for us in terms of cement production.
“The state has a location advantage, it is close to Borno state and other states in the Northeast zone, as well as Cameroon and so on. So if we produce 20 percent of what we need here, it will be about the cheapest instead of bringing them over here from other locations. So if we have the opportunity to do so we will definitely start production here,” Dangote said.
The Africa’s richest man explained that the significant reduction in diesel prices by his company from over N1600/Ltr to about 1,100/ Ltr, was a patriotic gesture that will effectively lower transportation costs and subsequently reduce food prices because of the widespread impact of diesel on everyday commodities.
Earlier, Governor Yahaya said Gombe is a prime destination for investment and economic prosperity, with a remarkable business-friendly environment, as well as its status as the best state in Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.
He also emphasised Gombe’s abundance of solid mineral resources as well as the impressive infrastructure, including the sprawling 1000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park situated near the 40-megawatt Dadinkowa power plant.
Yahaya highlighted the centrality of Gombe state in the Northeast sub-region, serving as a commercial nerve centre with a peaceful atmosphere, which he said has positioned the state as an attractive destination for investors seeking stability and growth opportunities.
