Dangote Backs Good Environmental Policy

As part of its efforts in tackling environmental problems bedevilling the country, the Dangote Group is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of the Environment by sponsoring the 9th National Council on Environment (NCE).

A statement from the conglomerate said the group decided to sponsor the NCE given its penchant and track record for environmental issues.

‘‘We are an environment friendly group. Our factories are run within the global acceptable standard. The Dangote Cement’s emission level of 30mg is far below that of the EU, which is 50mg,” the statement said.

The group noted that last year, it donated N2.5bn to help mitigate the impact of flooding across the country.

The statement said, “Dangote Cement, for instance, has uncompromising investments in state-of-the-art bag filters at all its plants to ensure minimal dust emissions, making Dangote one of the industry’s greenest cement companies not only in Nigeria, but across Africa.

“Pollution control is accorded top priority with regular monitoring with action plans put in place to reduce emissions in tune with national and international statutory control guidelines.”

Tanzanian Minister of Environment, Terezya Pius Louga Huvisa, who visited Dangote cement plants recently, the statement added, commended the group for the low emission level at its facilities and efforts being made to green its operational areas.

The Dangote Foundation, the charity arm of the group, had donated N20bn in two years. It has also committed over N1bn to the cause of education in the country in the same period.

Currently, the Foundation is also supporting the Federal Government in its fight against the malaria scourge.

The Minister of the Environment Mrs. Hadiza Mailafia, who spoke at the 9th NCE with the theme; ‘Green economy: A panacea for sustainable development,’ said the approval of Dangote’s partnership was to complement the Presidential Initiative on Afforestation.

The minister thanked the Dangote Group for supporting the cause of the environment, while singling out the President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for commendation.

She said President Goodluck Jonathan had approved N10bn for the implementation of the Great Green Wall project.

The minister said the Federal Government had begun the full implementation of the United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programme.

On his part, Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam called on the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to dredge both River Benue and River Katsina-Ala.

The project, which was started by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is aimed at addressing desertification in 11 frontline states in the North.