DANGOTE Group president Aliko Dangote has pledged to invest US$500,000 in an agriculture project aimed at supporting growth of small-scale farmers in the country.
And the firm will in the next two weeks launch 400 trucks, a move expected to create over 1,000 jobs.
Mr Dangote said: “We shall assist small-scale farmers in the community by providing agricultural support. It is our hope that the projects will bring more development in the area and to support this, the company will put on the table US$500,000 to start with,” he said.
Mr Dangote was speaking during the commissioning of the 1.5 million metric tonne of cement per annum plant and 30 megawatts coal-fired power plant in Masaiti yesterday.
He also said the choice of investing in Zambia is in line with the World Bank ranking of Zambia as one of the fastest growing economies.
The commissioning is also in line with the excellent trade relations Zambia and Nigeria have enjoyed over the years.
Mr Dangote has also said the trucks will be launched within 10 to 15 days.
He thanked Government for creating an enabling environment for the company to invest in Zambia.
“In due course, we will consider investing in other sectors of the economy as we believe it is the only way Africa can achieve the much-desired double digit growth rates,” he said.
The firm has also pledged to construct a concrete road leading to the plant and assist surrounding communities in education and health sectors as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“We have a robust CSR strategy in place and it will be of benefit to the community,” he said.
And Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Margaret Mwanakatwe commended the firm for being one of the largest firms to invest in the country.
Mrs Mwanakatwe said Government is committed to ensuring that all districts are transformed through private public partnerships.
She urged the private sector to emulate Dangote by investing in power generation projects in the country.
Meanwhile, Chief Chiwala of the Lamba-speaking people appealed to management at Dangote to consider employing locals.
Well done my brother from Nigeria.
Go on Mr Dangote, we want developmement.
I will never ever buy Lafarge cement ever again. They were “doing us” all these years on the price of cement only to reduce when Dangote arrived. I only build with Dangote, thank you Aliko bring all your brands
Your investment in Zambia is welcome my brother.
Go on bring development to zambia,we have lacked enough just because the dependance on copper is highly apppriciated to some zambians,of which is not true.but agriculture
Congrats Mr Dangote,
Shame to Larfage and Zambezi Portland Cement for the draconian prices for their cement products. You made huge and exhorbitant profits by over pricing your products
Aliko dangote mwenzekuona monga saliko ka kansi aliko wel done once more.shame to larfage and zambezi portland you have danced to the tune of dangote by reducing your cement realy u exploited us with your price fixing catel now u have been exposed.ALIKO DANGOTE
Larfage and Portland should just close. They have milked us a lot .Even if they try to reduce . It will not work. They are not honest in their dealings. I urge all those building to shun their over priced cement..Let them have their cement.Tiza gula kwina . Aliko DANGOTE .
Pipe line from Angola into Zambia is also another Project to partner with Dangote
On Social responsibility support of Ndola United or Lime or Strike rovers will be much viable and cheap as a vehicle to advertise the Dangote cement
Otherwise the Blackrock promoted investor should be supported in Zambia
500 000 dollars creating job but we borrow billions for consumption
Hello Africa, tell me how you doing? You are a very deep blogger if only the poverty stricken cadres could see sense in what is going on. if US$500,000 can create that number of jobs what more the billions being stolen sorry I mean “borrowed”
Aliko Dangote ewabako! Chapwa!