PDP Guber Aspirant Commends Dangote Over Edo Cement Plant

Onaiwu in a statement personally signed by him said the move by the Dangote Group to begin construction on the cement factory in Okpella area of Edo State is a testimony to the potential of the state to contribute hugely to Nigeria’s GDP especially in the face of dwindling oil revenue.

According to the DG of the PDP Governors Forum, the factory which is expected to come on stream in 26 months would impact meaningfully on the lives of the local communities as it would offer employment opportunities to both skill and unskilled labour of the host communities besides the ripple effect of other economic activities.

“I want to commend my friend of over 25 years, Dr. Aliko Dangote for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Okpelle cement factory. I have no doubt that the decision underscores the potential of Edo state in shoring up the GDP of the country at a period of declining oil revenue.

“Also, I want to urge my fellow Edo people to support the construction effort because it would provide jobs in the region of over 10, 000 besides the other economic activities that are bound to spring up. Let me also add that there is never a timeline for investment. Therefore, it is out of place for anybody to argue that the flag-off for the plant is late because a number of factors determine when an investor decides to set-up shop.

“It is imperative that other investors should look to Edo state for investment as we have abundant natural resource and I am confident that when the PDP forms the next government in the state with me as governor, we would provide the needed conducive environment to engender investment,” the statement read.

Another PDP aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, had described as belated the flag-off of the Okpella Cement Factory insisting that it should have come a long time ago.

The Okpella plant is expected to churn out six million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) and will provide 6000 direct jobs and 45,000 indirect jobs in the community.