By Izuchukwu Mayor, Lagos
Host communities in Ogun and Ondo states have been urged to give maximum support to the proposed Dangote Industrial City and Deep Seaport project, describing it as a transformative initiative that will create opportunities for economic growth and community development.
Minister of the Environment, Balarabe Lawal, gave the charge at the combined Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) site visit, according to a statement by the company.
Represented by the Director of Assessment at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Rofikat Odetoro, the minister commended the Dangote Industries Limited for its commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Speaking during the three-day assessment tour across Ode-Omi Waterside Community in Ogun State and Araromi Community in Ondo State, Lawal expressed satisfaction with the level of community consultations and groundwork undertaken to ensure the project aligns with environmental regulations and the interests of host communities.
Stressing the need for inclusive dialogue, he also enjoined traditional rulers and community leaders not to overlook women and children during consultations.
“I urge you to factor women into every engagement. Women and children are as important as every other member of the community, and they have unique needs that must not be ignored. Please give this project every support possible.
“It presents enormous opportunities for youths, women, and children to benefit from employment and the mandatory corporate social responsibility initiatives that will accompany it,” she said.
This phase of the project is intended to establish the current status of the community in terms of air quality, water resources, soil conditions, and socio-economic indicators, as required by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Infrastructure and Logistics, Dangote Industries Limited, Jamil Abubakar, assured the indigenes of transparency, fairness, and continuous engagement throughout the project’s implementation. According to him, the President of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, is committed to ensuring Africa becomes more self-sufficient through strategic infrastructure investments.
He said: “Our President is committed to positioning Africa for greater self-sufficiency, and Araromi has been chosen as the location where one of the world’s biggest deep seaports will be built. We are excited about the prospects of this project.
“We are here to listen to the community’s concerns and work together to achieve a win-win outcome for every stakeholder involved,” he said.
Abubakar further disclosed that Aliko Dangote had directed the project team to carry out a comprehensive needs assessment of the host communities and provide critical interventions regardless of the project’s stage of development.
Presenting the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Group Lead, Environment and Sustainability, Dangote Industries, Dr. Adeyemi Adun, said the study was designed to establish the current environmental and socio-economic baseline of the host communities before project execution.
He explained that the assessment would evaluate the quality of air, water and soil, as well as the socio-economic conditions of residents, in line with Federal Ministry of Environment guidelines.
“This phase of the project is intended to establish the current status of the community in terms of air quality, water resources, soil conditions, and socio-economic indicators, as required by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
“We also assure you that this project will have a positive impact on your communities, just as Dangote Industries has done in other host communities across the country”, Adun added.
Also speaking, the representative of the Ondo State Commissioner for Environment and Director of the Environmental Assessment Department, Isaac Ojo, welcomed the commencement of the assessment process, describing it as inclusive and beneficial to all stakeholders and assured of communities’ support.
