Dangote Cement factory is on course to commission a one billion dollar cement factory projected to produce about 6 million metric tons of cement every year.
In line with the promise to improve its cement production capacity, Dangote Cement Company started the construction of the cement factory in Okpella in Etsako-East Local Government, Edo State.
The factory has already been completed and is set to be commissioned in a few weeks, at which time it is projected to improve the Dangote Productivity Capacity to 41 million metric tons per annum.
The factory was built by Sinoma international engineering company, one of the world’s largest cement engineering system integration suppliers.
At such a time when the factory is up and running, it is also projected to provide 6,000 jobs for the locals in the Okpella region.
During the period of its construction, the project provided jobs for approximately 1,500 locals, in the line of technicians, engineers, and others, who assisted the Chinese workers on the project.
Other workers such as drivers, welders, and carpenters were also hired for the project.
The cement plant is estimated to produce 150,000 bags of cement per day, one of the aims of this plant is to ensure that the cement reaches every corner of Nigeria, “the poorest of the poor” as Engr Patrick Omokagbo explained. The Dangote Cement Company has already acquired 20,000 additional trucks, tippers, and trailers, which cost $150 million in approximation to ensure the efficient and effective distribution of its products to all corners of Nigeria.
The factory will generate its power, powered by two steam turbine generators which each generate 30 megawatts of power each, enough to power all of Lagos Island. Sudesh NAR, the Coordinator, Buildmet Construction Nigeria Limited, stated that the power plant can power half of Lagos State, and that is only because the power consumption in Lagos State is high.
The cement factory is also expected to further increase the 3 billion dollars the country saves from import substitution.
Why Okpella Town?
“We felt it was an ideal site to set up the factory for several reasons. One, nearness to the raw material deposit, limestone; secondly nearness to water supply.” Said Engr. Patrick Omokagbo, the Director, Stakeholder Management at Dangote PLC.
The Okpella town in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State located in a valley is famous for its richness in sedimentary rock-based mineral resources, such as calcium, granite, feldspar, talc, clay, marble, and most prominently limestone.
Experts believe that the limestone deposits will last for at least 100 years.
It is situated along the Benin-Abuja highway, with a population of about 20,562 inhabitants according to the last National Census.
Being rich in sedimentary rock-based mineral resources, Okpella already plays host to the Edo Cement Company as well as the BUA cement factory, which was founded by a Nigerian conglomerate named Abdulsalam Rabiu. The people who lived In the area are largely farmers and a mix of Christians and Muslims; they are said to be hospitable people.
Cooperation with Gov. Obaseki
Governor Obaseki has promised a conducive working environment for the facility to operate in.
The Governor has also assured the people of Imiekuri Okpella that his administration would see to the construction of the 12.7km Imiekuri-Okpella road; he also promised that the administration would cooperate with private sector players to create job opportunities for locals.
Governor Obaseki has therefore pledged to hold a meeting with the management of the two notable investors in Okpella, Dangote, and BUA industries, whose investments are worth up to N6 billion, to achieve the goal of engaging more inhabitants in their factories.
“I will sit down with the management of both companies and let them see reasons why the people in this area should be those working in these cement factories,” Governor Obaseki said.
