*Aliko Dangote Praises Gombe’s investment environment, pragmatic leadership; plans cement manufacturing venture
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has received Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who visited him at the Government House, Gombe.
A statement signed by the Director-General (Press Affairs)
Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, made available yesterday, said that speaking to newsmen after a closed door meeting, Dangote indicated his company’s readiness to take advantage of Gombe State’s favourable business environment.
He noted that Gombe State under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, has provided a good template for his company, maintaining that the time is ripe to take full advantage of the huge limestone, coal and gypsum deposits in the state and commence cement manufacturing.
Alhaji Dangote also noted that Governor Inuwa Yahaya has provided the necessary investment atmosphere and infrastructures 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 that can propel Gombe State to economic prosperity.
The foremost industrialist praised Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s business acumen and his pragmatic governance style, saying “although government has no business in investment endeavours, yet the Gombe State Governor has 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”, Aliko Dangote said.
” 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 term of cement production. The State has a location advantage.; it is close to Borno and other Northeastern States as well as Cameroon and so on. So if we produce 20% 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 from over N1600/Ltr to about 1,100/ Ltr, 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 centers, stating that by slashing its price, it will help reduce financial burdens on consumers and foster economic stability.
“It (the reduction in diesel price) 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/ Ltr”, he said.
Earlier while receiving the Africa’s richest man, Governor Inuwa Yahaya painted a compelling picture of Gombe as a prime destination for investment and economic prosperity, highlighting ite remarkable business-friendly environment as well as its status as the best state in Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria..
He also emphasized Gombe’s abundance of solid mineral resources as well as the impressive infrastructure, including the sprawling 1000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park situated near the 40-megawatt Dadinkowa power plant.
The Governor said, this 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.
He also highlighted the centrality of Gombe State in the North East sub region, serving as a commercial nerve centre with peaceful atmosphere, positioning the state as an attractive destination for investors seeking stability and growth opportunities.
