Dar pledges support to Dangote Cement plc

Dangote Cement plc is currenly building a 1.5 metric tons per annum (mtpa) cement plant in Tanzania and is expected to be completed next year, and the company is currently investing in cement in 14 African countries.

 By AGENCIES

THE Tanzanian Government has pledged its readiness to give all necessary assistance to Dangote Cement plc, a Nigerian company that is interested in undertaking a cement production project in the country.

First lady mama Salma Kikwete, conveyed the message at Obajana Cement Plant during her tour of the factory at the weekend, expressing appreciation of her people to Dangote Group for extending its pan-Africa operations to her country.She said the people of Tanzania were happy that such a project was being undertaken on an African soil by an African adding that the President of the Group deserved all the encouragements to ensure continuous growth of his businesses.

A 1.5 metric tons per annum (mtpa) cement plant is currently being constructed by the Dangote Group in Tanzania and is expected to be completed next year, as it is currently investing in cement in 14 African countries.After being conducted round the 10.25mtpa plant with her entourage that included the Tanzanian ambassador to Nigeria, Msuy Mangachi, Kikwete expressed surprise at the gigantic nature of the plant, noting that it was commendable that an African country is hosting the single largest cement plant in Africa.

“The decision of Aliko Dangote to build cement in African countries is commendable. We thank him for bringing cement plant to Tanzania which is producing below domestic demand” noting that by the time Dangote cement plant starts full operations it will bridge the shortfall arising from the inadequate local production capacity.

She described Dangote as a strong supporter of community development and then called on him to partner with her country’s government to seek area of mutual cooperation.

Kikwete used the occasion to introduce her pet project, Wama Foundation, dedicated to the promotion of community development, access to quality education through provision of scholarship, improved health care facilities and other action plan for the locals.

She said it would be of immense help if the Foundation and Dangote Group could partner to lift the people of her country and by so doing lift up Africa which is one of the cardinal objectives of the pan-African expansion of the Dangote Group.