The Africa expansion drive of the Dangote Cement is paying off with the plan to commence production at its $150 million Cameroon plant in August, barring any last minute hitch.
The company management explained that the 1.5 million tons per annum capacity plant was almost ready and would commence initial production at one million tons per annum before productions would be stepped to maximum capacity level
Conducting journalists round the factory in Douala, Cameroon, the General Manager, Abdulahi Baba stated that the cement plant would revolutionalized the cement industry in Cameroon and help stimulate the Eastern African economy as Dangote Cement would be churning out its known quality grade of 42.5 at a very competitive price.
According to him, the plant is ready for test running and that what remains to be completed are little engineering finishing as well as access roads to the plant.
Baba explained that the plant would be the most modern in Cameroon because of the latest technologies used in the construction from Germany, USA, France and put together by the renowned plant engineers, Sinoma.
The Dangote Cement boss stated that the Company would be bringing in Clinker and that production would be carried out at the most environmental friendly level pointing out that the dust emission by the plant would be lower than the 50mm international standard.
He noted that but for the soil test that was carried out that showed that the entire plant areas needed to be piled, the factory would be have been ready now.
Engr. Baba said Cameroonians were eager to see Dangote Cement commence operations at the Douala plant because of the exploit of the Company in other countries and that the Company had enjoyed cooperation both from the host communities and the government of the country.
He promised that Dangote Cement as a law abiding organization would play by the rules of the land and that it would replicate its robust Corporate Social Services in the host community.
On the economic benefit of the commencement of operation, Engr. Baba stated that over 1000 people would be employed directly by the plant while over 5000 would benefit from the indirect employment to be generated by production activities of the plant.
“The plant is over 70 per cent ready, we will commence test running in few weeks time, while we hope to commission the plant in August. We have brought our latest technology here to build the plant, we are a very environmentally friendly company.
“We will produce 42.5 grade cement here in Cameroon and at a very competitive price. The Cement distributors here, the consumers are all eager to have our product and we will not disappoint them.
“They have been used to a particular product before, but we are offering them choices, quality choice at very reasonable price”
He also disclosed that plans were afoot for the construction of a jetty by the plant which is just by the water front and close the Douala sea port. This, he explained would make it easy to bring him raw materials and also help in the distribution of the product to other areas.
Engr. Baba said the management of the company looked forward to a mutual beneficial relationship with the government of Cameroon and that the start of production of cement will stimulate the industrial subsector of Cameroon.
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