House of Representatives member, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has called for increased support from Dangote Cement, Ibese, to address challenges faced by the residents of Ibese and other host communities.
In a statement made available to Tribune Online in Abeokuta on Sunday, and signed by his media aide, Femi Peters, Isiaka led other key stakeholders in an engagement with the company’s management to discuss solutions to the persistent power outage and other pressing challenges.
The lawmaker, who represents Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency, stated that the engagement focused on providing solutions and relief for several long-standing concerns affecting host communities.
He noted that Ibese and adjoining communities had experienced a total blackout for the past three years, alongside inadequate infrastructure, water scarcity, worsening security conditions, and unemployment among constituents.
Isiaka, who also chairs the Federal House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, was accompanied by his Senior Legislative Aide, Razaq Oduntan; the Yewa North Local Government Supervisor for Works, Hon. Azeez Orisasanmi, who represented the Local Government Chairman; a community leader, Hon. Olugbenga Afolabi; and the councillors representing Ibese, Imasayi, and Eggua wards of Yewa North Local Government.
The delegation appreciated the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts towards host communities but emphasised that much more needed to be done.
Describing the three-year blackout as deeply concerning, they stressed that the situation had crippled many aspects of daily life for residents.
Other highlighted concerns included inadequate physical infrastructure linked to the company’s operations in the host communities, particularly poor water supply in Ibese Town; the environmental impact of raw material blasting on both public health and the structural integrity of homes; increased cases of theft and other security threats; the problem of trailer parking on roads and the urgent need for a properly constructed trailer park; and the necessity of creating more meaningful employment opportunities for residents.
In response, the Plant Manager, Mr Roy Uttam, assisted by other management staff, including Mr Ademola Ojolowo, the Deputy General Manager for Social Performance, outlined several efforts the company had made regarding these concerns.
He noted that past attempts to resolve the power crisis had been hindered by the theft of materials purchased for the project.
Uttam explained that a new agreement was reached with the host communities and IBEDC in January, under which Dangote Cement would purchase all necessary materials to restore power in the area.
Furthermore, he stated that the newly acquired items would be handed over to IBEDC in the presence of community leaders and representatives, with power restoration expected within four to six weeks thereafter.
Regarding the water supply challenges, the plant manager identified terrain and topography as significant obstacles and confirmed that the water project would be re-awarded for implementation.
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