Dangote Cement shuts Gboko plant in Benue state

 



One of the leading cement companies in the country, Dangote Cement, has shut down its factory in Gboko Benue State.
As such, cement consumers in the state have begun to groan under the increase in the price of cement which has jumped from 1,400 to 2,500.
A visit to the factory at Mbayion, Gboko by our correspondent yesterday, showed that operations have been grounded in the company.
Investigations revealed that the shutdown of the cement plant has to do with the emergence of a cement glut which further rendered the commodity in excessive supply and low demand.
Another factor which also contributed to the shutdown is the poor supply of power to run the factory from the public source while it was learnt that the management is considering setting up a coal plant to countervail the constant power failure at the factory.
Speaking on the hardship faced by the community as result of the closure, Mr. John Alumun disclosed that the community had become a ghost of itself as most of the residents derive their means of livelihood from the multiplier effects of the company’s activities.
“Since the operations have been grounded for two weeks running, life has become unbearable for most family members because most of us rely on the petty trading that we embark upon to fend for ourselves as well as our families,” Alumun said, urging the stakeholders to hasten action towards the re-opening of the plant.
When contacted, Assistant General Manager, Community Relations of Dangote Cement Plant, Gboko, Dr. Bem Melladu, stated that over-flooding of the market with various cement products is largely due to the problem that led to the closure of the factory.

He further explained that the epileptic power supply by public Distribution Company (DISCO) would soon be replaced with a coal plant which to boost the power needs of the company.


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