…Rolls out CSR schemes
The Governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom has said the Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko Plant, has paid a staggering N7000million tax to the Government of Benue State.
The Governor who was speaking at the Dangote Cement’s commissioning and presentation of Tri-cycles in Gboko weekend announced that the tax was received last week.
Tri-cycles and mini-depots CSR project was presented to Benue communities by the President of Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote who was represented by his Honorary Adviser Engr Joe Makoju at an event attended by the Governor of the State and government officials.
The elated Governor also promised to address the issue of tax rise and multiple taxations. Dangote has scaled up its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes in the State.
He said without Dangote Group, there would have been a vacuum in the state’s economy. He described the Dangote Group as a dependable partner, even as he commended the company for creating direct and indirect jobs opportunities in the State.
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote is a great Nigerian whom God has endowed with wisdom to drive the economy through the private sector. This company is better off compared to when it was in the hands of government. If not for Dangote, BCC Gboko would have been occupied by rats and reptiles,” he said.
He added: ‘‘Business environment is very harsh in Nigeria. So for this company to have been functioning, it’s really appreciating. It is clear that we have found a new way of working together.
“We are restricted by the downturn of the economy. The capacity to engage people by the government is no longer there. So this new Corporate Social Responsibility scheme is really commendable. The tri- Cycles will facilitate movement and the cement depots will facilitate development and reduce hardship of travelling long distance before getting the product.”
The Governor said: “As your Governor I will not allow Dangote to shortchange you, neither will I allow you to sabotage his investment. We need to encourage them.”