For setting up a cement plant in their land, the government and people of Tanzania have pledged their readiness to give all necessary assistance to Dangote Cement Plc to ensure the timely completion of the cement project in the East African country.
Wife of the President of Tanzania, Salma Rashid Kikwete who conveyed the message at Obajana Cement Plant during her tour of the factory at the weekend expressed appreciation of her people to Dangote Group for extending its pan-Africa operations to her country.
She said the people of Tanzania were happy that such a project was being undertaken on an African soil by an African adding that the President of the Group deserved all the encouragements to ensure continuous growth of his businesses.
A 1.5mtpa cement plant is currently being constructed by the Dangote Group in Tanzania and is expected to be completed next year.
After being conducted round the 10.25mtpa plant with her entourage which included the Tanzanian ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Msuy Mangachi, Mrs Kikwete expressed surprise at the gigantic nature of the plant noting that it was commendable that an African country is hosting the single largest cement plant in Africa.
“The decision of Alhaji Dangote to build cement in African countries is commendable. We thank him for bringing cement plant to Tanzania which is producing below domestic demand” noting that by the time Dangote cement plant starts full operations it will bridge the shortfall arising from the inadequate local production capacity.
She enumerated the benefits her country would drive from the establishment of the cement plant in her country, saying it will provide job opportunities and lead to economic development.
The Tanzania First lady assured that the government of the country would be ready to provide all necessary support to enable the cement plant thrive well, assuring that there is peace and tranquility in her country, which is one of the advantages the country has over others.
She described Alhaji Dangote as a strong supporter of community development and then called on him to partner with her country’s government to seek area of mutual cooperation.
Mrs. Kikwete used the occasion to introduce her pet project, Wama Foundation, which is dedicated to promotion of community development, access to quality education through provision of scholarship, improved health care facilities and other action plan for the locals.
She said it would be of immense help if the Foundation and Dangote Group could partner to lift the people of her country and by so doing lifting Africa which is one of the cardinal objectives of the pan-African expansion of the Dangote Group.
Earlier, Mrs. Kikwete was received at the Obajana Cement airstrip, by the Special Adviser to the Group President, Engr. Joe Makoju who conducted her round the plant and the mines where she observed how limestone was being excavated with the use of modern equipment.
Makoju told the visitors that one of the key drivers of Dangote Group’s African cross boarder cement projects was to contribute to African continent development to diversify the risk across geographical boundaries.
According to him, Dangote Cement is fast expanding to lead in cement production worldwide which he said was the next logical step after achieving domestic dominance, capture demand in large commercial centres with high population and urbanization growth, as well as supply landlocked countries which pay very high price for imported cement.
In his short presentation, the Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Obajana plant, said Dangote Cement is undoubtedly the fastest growing cement company in Africa as it presses on with an impressive and ambitious expansion drive in spite of the global financial climate.
He disclosed that the goal of the company is to be ranked among the top eight cement producers in the world.
