The community of Mbayion district in Gboko, located in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, where the Dangote Cement Plant is situated, has raised worries about the environmental impact caused by the operations of the company.
Addressing the issue, a committee has been established to assess the effects of the mining company on its immediate surroundings.
The committee’s chairman, Terna Abeda, conveyed the community’s dissatisfaction with the Dangote Cement Plant to the press in Gboko, highlighting the inadequate efforts made by the company to mitigate the consequences of its actions on the environment.
Following extensive community surveys and consultations with local leaders, youth, and residents, Abeda revealed a distressing picture of neglect brought about by the company’s operations.
He emphasized that the Gboko plant’s initiatives in terms of corporate social responsibility and community support lag significantly behind those at Obajana and Ibese.
He further affirmed that the community is keen to engage in constructive dialogues with the Dangote Group to seek solutions and alleviate the detrimental impacts of their operations on the local population.
During engagements, Zaki Igba Tsegba, the District Head of Ukpekpe, and Zaki Kunav Anum, the District Head of Mbatyu – where the company is located, expressed discomfort with the current state of affairs in the company’s relationship with the host community.