Inauguration of Dangote Plant: PM reassures private investors

The Dangote Cement factory was finally inaugurated in Douala, since its construction begun in 2011, on Thursday.

At the Elf base, Cameroon prepared to host the Nigerian investor, Aliko Dangote, president of the eponymous group. The president of the Republic, who was invited to commission the company, delegated the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang, as his personal representative.

Two hundred guests from Nigeria witnessed the manifestation of the excellent ties of economic cooperation between Cameroon and its powerful neighbour. Also present were some members of the government and the High Commissioner of Nigeria to Cameroon, Hadiza Mustapha.

Addressing the audience, the government delegate to the Douala City Council, Fritz Ntone Ntone, expressed his gratitude to the President for all the conveniences made to release the site formerly devoted to Ngondo festival. The chief magistrate of the city especially expressed the joy of the Sawa people to the Dangote Group for the development of a new site for the Ngondo. It includes the ecological development and commitment to build Sawa cultural house which will house the headquarters of Ngondo.

The promoter of the cement plant, Aliko Dangote, did not hide his pleasure to be on the site. In the presence of the Sawa people he said he was ready to assist them with their cultural projects. The investor especially informed the Prime Minister to express his gratitude to the President for allowing his group to install the “largest cement plant in a brother and friend’s country.”

The project, which was in the pipeline since 2008 and finalized in 2011 with the signing of the agreement paving the way for the installation of a cement production plant in Douala. Despite the rains and some inconveniences, the inauguration still took place.

In turn, the Prime Minister praised the model of the South-South cooperation. To the diplomatic corps, captains of industry in the economic capital, Philemon Yang praised the strengths of Cameroon’s target. They were the political will, economic liberalism framed by a sound legal environment and structuring projects that will increase the supply of electric power (Memve'ele, Lom Pangar dams).

Following the example of Aliko Dangote, the PM encouraged other investors to settle in Cameroon. "This cement shows that Cameroon is proud to do business with Nigeria," said the head of government. Philemon Yang mostly reiterated the government's determination to work with the private sector. To Aliko Dangote, Philemon Yang said "thank you for agreeing to play a role in the process of industrialization in Cameroon."

The Cement plant inaugurated yesterday is truly a heavyweight. It is expected to produce 1.5 million tons of cement per year. Aliko Dangote announced that it has a capacity of 3 million tonnes. It will make Cameroon the largest cement exporter in the subregion. Dangote Cement Cameroon, in figures, offers 200 jobs and an investment of FCFA 70 billion.

The guided tour of the facilities, after cutting the symbolic ribbon and unveiling of the commemorative plaque, permitted the PM to monitor the cement production process on the banks of the Wouri.