Leading indigenous conglomerate, Dangote Group has assured the Federal and Kano State governments of its readiness in exploring key sectors of the economy to cushion the effect of the recession among Nigerians.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Dangote Group said it would explore opportunities opening up in agriculture, mining and infrastructure through partnership with the levels of government.
An Executive Director of the Group, Hajiya Halima Dangote, made the pledge at the Dangote Special Day ceremony at the ongoing Kano International Trade Fair in Kano.
The executive director, who was special guest at the event, represented the President of the group, Aliko Dangote.
Dangote said challenges of the recession rather presented opportunities to explore areas of development and bring back the lost glory of Nigeria’s economy.
He said it was such determination that informed re-opening of Dangote Flour Mill in Kano as well as the Tomato factory processing project in Kadawa area of the state.
Dangote said the project would have been fully operational but for the hitches caused by Tomato disease in the country and some technicalities.
He reiterated efforts by the group to ensure sustainability in rice production through extensive out-grower programme in Jigawa.
Dangote said: “It is our intention to establish a large scale rice mill of 250,000 tonnes per annum capacity in Kano, to process production in three states.”
He re-emphasised that Dangote Fertilizers project, with capacity of 2.8 million tonnes per annum, the largest plant in sub-Saharan Africa, would be inaugurated by the end of 2017.
Dangote commended the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, and the government for their commitment to the business community “as demonstrated by the fair which attracted wide range of businesses from far and near’’.
He assured the chamber of the Group’s willingness to continue partnership and scale up its presence in the years ahead.
The President of KACCIMA, Alhaji Umar Dansuleka, said presence of Dangote at the fair was an encouragement to other businesses aspiring for greater heights.
The conglomerate, Dansuleka said, had made a mark across Africa and the globe through its products and services, thereby enhancing image of the country.
