Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has charged the management of Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant, to be environmentally compliant in its operations.
Salako stated this on Wednesday during his familiarization tour to the company, commending the company for being at the forefront of promoting best practices.
The visit coincided with a stakeholders’ engagement and experts’ panel review being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Environment on some expansion projects at the Dangote Cement plant.
Salako stressed that mining remains one of the key sectors in President Bola Tinubu’s administration targeted towards economic diversification due to a gradual shift from oil and gas dependency.
Salako said while the mining sector has huge potential to develop the nation’s economy, there are many challenges associated with the operations of mining companies.
He said, “For us in the Ministry of Environment, it means we must also sit up. Mining, as it comes with its advantages, also comes with its challenges. So, we must be up and doing. As we expand the economy and grow Nigeria, we also do it in a sustainable manner so that the environment is not adversely affected.
“Dangote industry as a whole is an international conglomerate, and I am happy that the company is at the forefront of promoting best practices in terms of conception, planning, implementation, management of factories that are makers like this.
“We must continue in that respect to ensure that best practices are always promoted, environmental and social impact assessments are properly carried out, the stakeholders are properly involved, and the environment is properly protected so that our growth can be sustainable growth. That’s why we are here, and I am happy that Dangote is at the forefront of that.
“Going forward, we will continue to look up to Dangote to work in this manner in terms of your Corporate Social Responsibilities, supporting the host communities, and also supporting the development of infrastructure because sometimes your activities put pressure on infrastructure,” Salako said.
The Plant Director, Nawabuddin Azad, told the Minister that the plant operates with 17 communities across Yewa North and Ewekoro Local Government Areas of the state, saying they have greatly felt the impacts of the company.
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