The federal government has urged host communities in Ogun and Ondo states to give full support to the proposed Dangote Deep Seaport Project and Industrial City, describing the initiative as a major driver of economic growth, job creation and sustainable community development.
The call was made during the combined Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) site visit to the proposed project locations by officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders.
Representing the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, the Director of Assessment at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Rofikat Odetoro, commended Dangote Industries Limited for its commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Speaking during the three-day assessment tour across Ode-Omi Waterside Community in Ogun State and Araromi Community in Ondo State, Odetoro expressed satisfaction with the level of consultations already conducted with host communities, noting that the process aligns with environmental regulations and safeguards the interests of affected residents.
She stressed the importance of inclusive consultations, urging traditional rulers and community leaders to ensure women and children are actively involved in discussions surrounding the project.
“I urge you to factor women into every engagement. Women and children are as important as every other member of the community, and they have unique needs that must not be ignored,” she said.
Speaking during the community engagement at Araromi Seaside Kingdom, the managing director, Infrastructure and Logistics, Dangote Industries Limited, Capt. Jamil Abubakar, assured residents of transparency, fairness and continuous engagement throughout the implementation of the project.
According to him, the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, remains committed to promoting Africa’s economic self-sufficiency through strategic infrastructure investments that can transform industries and communities.
Presenting the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, the Group Lead, Environment and Sustainability, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr Adeyemi Adun, explained that the study would establish the environmental and socio-economic baseline of the host communities before project execution.
He said the assessment would evaluate air, water and soil quality, as well as the socio-economic conditions of residents, in line with the guidelines of the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Also speaking, the representative of the Ondo State commissioner for Environment and director of the Environmental Assessment Department, Isaac Ojo, welcomed the commencement of the assessment process, describing it as inclusive and beneficial to all stakeholders.
“We are delighted that this process has begun and that it accommodates every stakeholder. We are confident the project will benefit the communities, and we encourage everyone to give the Dangote team the maximum support required for its success,” Ojo said.
The Alara of Araromi Seaside Kingdom, Oba Adeoloye Olawole, also endorsed the project, describing Aliko Dangote as “a genius” whose investments would accelerate development in the kingdom.
The assessment tour was attended by officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment, representatives of the Ogun and Ondo State Ministries of Environment, local government officials, traditional rulers, faith-based leaders, community representatives and officials of Dangote Industries Limited.
