The Dangote Group on Sunday started constructing a one billion dollars cement factory in Okpella, Edo State, to expand its cement production in Nigeria.
The Okpella six million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) plant project, which is to be constructed within 26 months, will provide 6000 direct jobs and 45,000 indirect jobs in the community.
Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Minister of Solid Minerals, said at the ground breaking ceremony at Okpella on Sunday that the cement plant was an evidence that the diversification agenda of the Federal Government was already working.
Fayemi said that the cement plant would be a model that would bring positive changes to the nation’s solid minerals sector in the areas of job creation, foreign exchange earnings and local content promotion.
He said that mining sector was currently contributing 0.34 per cent to the GDP and had potential to contribute over 25 million dollars annually to the economy by 2025.
Fayemi advised other investors to take a cue from Dangote’s commitment and support to transform the nation’s economy through active participation.
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