Dangote Mulls Investment in Cement Production Facility in Gombe State

*Explains why he slashed diesel price 

*Yahaya says Gombe prime destination for investors

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Africa’s richest individual, Aliko Dangote, at the weekend indicated his company’s readiness to take advantage of Gombe state’s favourable business environment by locating a cement manufacturing plant in the North-east state.

Speaking to newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the state Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, the businessman noted that Gombe state under the current leadership, has provided a good template for his company to invest.
He maintained that the time was therefore ripe to take full advantage of the huge limestone, coal and gypsum deposits in the state and commence cement manufacturing.

 Dangote noted that the governor had provided the necessary investment atmosphere and infrastructure needed to attract and keep manufacturing companies functioning to the maximum capacity, especially with the setting up of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, which he described as a novel project.
The foremost industrialist praised Yahaya’s business acumen and his pragmatic governance style, saying that although government has no business in investment endeavours, yet the governor had been exemplary in his investment drive.

“I commend Governor Inuwa Yahaya for doing his best in terms of laying down the policy framework for a good investment environment. We have had fruitful discussions on our investment plans with the governor.

“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 and other North-eastern states as well as Cameroon and so on.
“ So, if we produce 20 per cent 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,” he assured.

Shedding light on the significant reduction in diesel prices by his company,  Dangote said the move 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.
He cited transportation as a significant contributor to the high cost of goods, particularly in urban centres,  stating that by slashing its price, it will help reduce financial burdens on consumers and foster economic stability.

“It is just to demonstrate that we are very patriotic and when we look at it, the business actually affects the lives of everybody.  To produce anything, the major cost is diesel.
“So, when we looked at it, I said we should try and bring down the cost. Because people who have held on to the business for a very long time were profiteering and we decided that we can afford to sell diesel at N1,000 per litre.
“It is about 60 per cent drop; areas like here (Gombe), Borno, Bauchi and the rest, it was selling between N1,700 to N1,800 but right now, I am sure in the next few days, you will not buy diesel at more than N1,100/ litre,” he said.
Also speaking, the Gombe State Governor, Yahaya, appealed to Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group,  Dangote, to consider investing in the state.
Yahaya, who painted a compelling picture of the state as a prime destination for investment and economic prosperity, highlighted its remarkable business-friendly environment as well  as its status as the best state in ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The governor emphasised Gombe’s abundance of solid mineral resources as well as the impressive infrastructure, including the sprawling 1,000-hectare  Industrial Park situated near the 40-megawatt Dadinkowa power plant.
He argued that the strategic location not only offers ample space for industrial expansion but also ensures access to reliable power supply, a crucial factor for sustained industrial operations.
Besides, Yahaya highlighted the centrality of Gombe State in the North-east, serving as a commercial nerve centre with  peaceful environment and positioning the state as an attractive destination for investors seeking stability and growth opportunities.