By Olamide Francis
Dangote Cement plant, Gboko in Benue State has doled out its annual N10 million scholarship grant to indigent students of Mbayion in Gboko Local Government Area.
Making the donation at the premises of the plant in Gboko, the General Manager Administration, Mr. Jonathan Kunde sued for cooperation from the host community for more good things to come their way.
While debunking rumours that the company was taking out clinker from the Gboko plant to elsewhere, Mr. Kunde assured of increased production as well as an increase in the discharge of its corporate social responsibility.
Plant Manager, Mr. S.V. Srinivasan said the plant’s second production line is ready to begin operation, revealing that this will create openings for the recruitment of indigenes while calling for the safeguarding of the company’s facilities for the good of all parties.
Receiving the cheque on behalf of the host community, the President of Yion Development Association, Mr. Ande Per thanked the company for the gesture and commended Dangote Cement for living up to her responsibility despite not engaging in any production for some time.
He appealed to the company to expedite action on the hospital at Ihungwanor that has been under construction for several years in order to boost health care delivery in the community and its environs.
A royal father, Chief Joseph Ikpa Ahua, who spoke on behalf of the traditional council, noted that the scholarship would be of immense benefit, especially to students from financially disadvantaged homes. He, however, appealed to the company to consider an upward review of the bursary to accommodate the increasing number of students since it was instituted over 10 years ago.
