CSR: Dangote Cement donates patrol cars to Ogun Security Trust Fund

As part of its strategic Corporate Social Responsibility towards maintaining security of lives and property, leading Cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement plc yesterday donated 25 operational cars, fully equipped with security features, to the Ogun Security Trust Fund (OSTF)

The donation was a fulfilment of a pledge made by the immediate past Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Company, Engr. Joseph Makoju, who promised the state government that Dangote Cement as a responsible corporate citizen would partner the government in ensuring the much-desired security is maintained in the state and its environs.

Presenting the cars to the OSTF in Lagos on behalf of the management of Dangote Cement Plc, the Independent Non-Executive Director, Mr Emmanuel Ikazoboh, said the donation was informed by the need to boost the Fund’s operation because security is essential to economic development.

AHe said: “No investor will be willing to put his/her funds in an economy where insecurity is rife with lawlessness and chaos is the order of the day. We are major investors in Ogun State and as such we prefer a state of orderliness and sound security which allows businesses to thrive.

“Ogun Security Trust Fund was established in 2011 and refined in 2019 by the Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The objectives of the Fund include the maintenance of security and welfare of citizens.

“I recall that on October 6, 2019, our then Group Managing Director, Engr. Joe Makoju made a pledge on behalf of the company to present operational vehicles to the fund. As a corporate socially responsible organisation, the security and well-being of our host communities remain utmost in our minds.”

Mr Ikazoboh said a major step towards encouraging investments and creation of employments is promoting and ensuring adequate security in our environments. “This is why we at Dangote Cement, fully appreciate your State government’s several initiatives in the promotion of security and a safe operating environment for business.”

The Director explained that government alone could not continue to bear the full cost of meeting the expectations of the entire populace in the provision of basic necessities like health, education and security for the citizenry, adding that this thought gave rise to Public Private Partnerships, where private sector collaborates with the public sector in the provision of essential services.

“Our desire to partner government or the public sector informed our interventions such as Itori-Ibese road, Apapa-Wharf road and Obajana-Kabba Road. We are also at the forefront of combating the COVID-19 pandemic. We have adopted several protocols such as social distancing, provision of temperature scanners, hand sanitizers, face masks and sick bays, designed to secure the health of our staff at the cement plants. We have provided basic necessities to prevent infection and transmission of the virus in our plants.”