Chairman / Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has called for massive investment in research, technology and adoption of best in-class global practices for industrial development in Nigeria .
Dangote, who spoke on Wednesday at the Dangote Group’s Special Day at the ongoing 36Th Enugu International Trade Fair organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) noted that putting the necessary measures in place is best way for products from Nigeria to gain global recognition.
Represented by the Deputy Regional Director, South East, Dangote Cement PLC, Ayirioritse Okerentie, the Chairman / CEO, stressed that for Nigeria’s industrial sector to be ahead of competition there must be innovation, research and development in place.
“Developing Nigeria industrial sector requires massive investment in technology, adoption of best in-class global practices. This is the best way for products from Nigeria to gain global recognition. When your products are of global standards, global recognition becomes easy,” he said
Dangote described the theme of the fair, “Developing Nigeria Industrial Sector/SMEs for Economic Advancement & Global Recognition” as apt.
He said Dangote groups were Africa’s foremost indigenous manufacturing conglomerate which believes that the industrial/manufacturing sector has the capacity to impact significantly on the economy especially in the creation of jobs, provision of goods, reduction in imports of finished products and adding of value to our raw materials.
Pix: Group photo of Dangote and ECCIMA team
” It is generally accepted that a nation’s economic wellbeing is largely dependent on the industrial/manufacturing sector.
He noted that the industrial/manufacturing sector is labour intensive and could create millions of direct and indirect employments for people of diverse skills such as administrators, accountants, engineers, technicians, marketing & sales among others.
“It can also create indirect employment for supply chain actors in other sectors of the economy such as raw materials suppliers, logistics and transportation, farmers, and miners”, he said..
Speaking on Dangote petroleum refinery, he said the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has exported refined petroleum products such as aviation fuel, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), automotive gas oil, naphtha to many African, European, American and Asian markets and that the products conform to the Euro V specifications.
He disclosed that the Dangote Petrochemical Complex has kicked off the production of polypropylene, a major raw material used in textile, plastic, furniture and pharmaceutical sectors.
“According to the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), the country imports 90 percent of its annual polypropylene requirements (amounting to 250,000 metric tonnes), but will now become a net exporter, generating foreign exchange to strengthen the economy. We are optimistic that many new manufacturing outfits will emerge relying on both the products and byproducts of the petroleum complex as feedstock in their production processes,” he said .
“As a conglomerate driving the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, while we produce critical household items, some of our other products serve as either feedstock or raw materials for other manufacturers.
” The evolution of these mutual interdependent industries is expected to revolutionise Nigeria’s economy by creating linkages between different industrial sectors.
” The linkages will provide cushions to the economy, preventing disruptions in production as raw materials are available. Linkages are vital in sustainable economic and industrial development. We are envisaging a connected and interlinked manufacturing sector that will produce goods that are usually imported, and in the process create more jobs for the growing youth population”, he said..
Dangote noted that participation in the Fair, apart from the exhibitions, is to seek connections with other businesses.
On their interventions, he said they commenced export of products from their petroleum refinery to other parts of the world.They also export fertiliser which had upended the distributive system which sees Nigeria as an end destination, now to a country of origin of refined products and byproducts such as Naphtha. “The change comes with attendant benefits as vessels berthing and queueing in Nigeria to receive products for export, with the attendant income for the nation,” he said.
On road construction and rehabilitation, Dangote said Dangote Group has actively participated in road construction and rehabilitation projects aimed at improving transport conditions.
“We reconstructed the Obajana-Kabba road as well as the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki expressway in Lagos. We are reconstructing the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway using concrete. Concrete roads are more durable than the normal asphalt roads, with an estimated lifespan of 100 years”, he said.
He highlighted their interventions on trade financing and taxation, saying
“With operations in over 10 African countries, the group has facilitated the export of cement from Nigeria to other African markets. Dangote Fertiliser has exported several ship loads of fertiliser to France, USA, Mexico, Uruguay and Argentina and to African countries which include Republic of Benin, Zambia, Cameroon, South Africa, Cote’ Ivoire and Mozambique. Dangote Petroleum Refinery has also exported refined petroleum to several countries. Through this, Dangote Group strengthens Nigeria’s position in regional trade.”
Pix: Deputy Regional Director, South East, Dangote Cement PLC, Ayirioritse Okerenti
He enumerated their activities, which the regional sales managers of different Dangote products( Cement, salt, sugar, fertilizer )took turn to speak on.
Dangote said they were supporting the government in Food Security and the agricultural products will soon be in the market.
He commended ECCIMA for the successful hosting of the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair, which he said , provides avenues for exhibitors to meet and interact with their customers.
“Our expectations therefore are that through this Trade Fair, we will be able to expand awareness for our innovative products, generate sales, get prospective buyers, improve the image of our brands and open new markets that will further translate to job creation and overall economic development.
“We are confident that this longstanding partnership with ECCIMA will not only be beneficial to both of us, but to the Nigerian, and indeed the African economy as whole”, Dangote said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the president of ECCIMA, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo expressed joy that Dangote Pic has been part of their success story in the hosting of the Enugu International Trade Fair over the years and have been major Sponsor of the Fair for the past 4 years.
“There is no doubt that Dangote Plc has added a lot of value to the growth of the Nigerian economy, operating in almost every sector of the economy. The recent investment of Dangote Group into the oil and gas industry has taken the company to another level, especially with the positive impact Dangote Refinery has made on regulating the prices of Petroleum products in Nigeria.
“We commend the Dangote group for this and request that the Federal Government should give the company all needed support to continue to bring smile on the faces of Nigerians once again.
“Today Dangote business and entrepreneurship indulgence has spread to many parts of African Continent, employing thousands of people across the world of which not less than greater percentage are Nigerians.
“The exploits of the Dangote Group shows a great level and high degree of vision, creative thinking, Research, innovations, doggedness, hard work and industry which has culminated to what one can describe as the Dangote business and industrial empire today” Jideonwo said.
He commended the Chairman and CEO of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Management and staff of “dynamic and pragmatic organization for their untiring and adventurous spirit to increase productivity for the growth of the Nigerian economy and indeed the African Continent.
“I have no doubt that in the years to come, Dangote group would become not just a big industrial player in Nigeria and Africa, but the entire globe, deepening the creation of wealth and employment,” ECCIMA president said.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama