As part of moves targeted at distributing its products across Ghana to beat down price of cement, Dangote Cement Ghana Limited has taken delivery of 1,000 brand-new-trucks to facilitate the distribution of cement to all parts of Ghana.
The move which is also set to complement a new factory being built in Takoradi is part of the expansion plans of the company to meet the growing demand of cement for the construction industry.
Speaking to Citi Business News after a media tour of the facilities, CEO of Dangote Cement Ghana Ltd, Mr. Tor Nygard maintained that the company decided to move its operations to Ghana to create jobs for Ghanaians.
“We have being bagging our finished products in Tema for the past six years and we believe that we are now ready to establish a production plant in Takoradi to expand our base across the west African region and also create jobs for Ghanaians,” he said.
He disclosed that the company has already recruited about 1500 drivers to work with the transport department of the of the distribution channel.
“We have engaged about a 1500 drivers to handle these trucks. We are still recruiting Ghanaians to fill different positions in the company. In all, we are looking at creating 5,000 jobs by close of this year,” he assured.
As part of revenue generation for the country, Mr.Nygard stated that the company has already paid 2 million dollars as tax on the importation of the trucks to the government of Ghana.
“These are components of the Company’s mission in Ghana which is to stimulate its economy and get quality cement to all Ghanaians at an affordable price,” he said.
Touching on the new plant in Takoradi, Mr. Nygard said the company is investing over $100 million in the construction of the plant in Takoradi in the Western Region.
According to him, the Cement Grinding Plant will have the capacity to produce about 1.5 million tons of cement per annum.
“This project, when completed, will further cement the presence of Dangote Cement business in Ghana and is a further proof of our commitment to the Infrastructural development of the country and will also enable us to meet the growing demand across other countries in West Africa,” he said.
On his part, the Media Relations Manager of the Dangote Cement, Etornam Komla stated that the company as part of its quality control mechanisms supply only 42.5R grade of ordinary Portland cement onto the Ghanaian market.
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By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana