By Bisola Adeyemo
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Dangote fertilizer plant would reduce Nigeria’s importation of urea.
Buhari stated this while commissioning three million metric tonnes Dangote Fertilizer Plant at the Lagos Free Trade Zone, Lekki on Monday.
According to him, the Group put an end to the importation of cement in Nigeria, emerging the continent’s largest cement producer, presently operating in over 10 countries in Africa.
He said, “The group’s investment in cement production has ended Nigeria’s dependence on importation of cement. I believe the feat will be repeated in the fertilizer segment. The Group is also the second-largest employer of labour in Nigeria after the Federal Government.
“We are partnering with the private sector through tax credit scheme on road constructions in the country and rehabilitating railway lines for ease movement of goods,” he added.
On his part, Aliko Dangote, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Dangote Group, expressed delight at the success of the fertiliser plant.
Dangote said the plant is the largest in Africa and the second-largest urea plant in the world.
He said products from plants have reached the African market, and across Brazil, India, and Mexico.
“It is an ambitious project that will reduce unemployment in Nigeria,” he said.
“Low fertiliser usages have been the reason for low yield of agriculture products in the sector.
“Our goal is to make fertiliser available in quantity for our farmers. We are rolling out initiatives that will transform the agric sector for all.
“This will boost productivity and enhance output across the nation.
“ The estimation is to produce three million metric tonnes of urea per anum.” Dangote said.
He, therefore, appreciated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other agencies of government for their support.
