- Targets 900,000mtpa of wheat production in Kano
Crusoe Osagie
The Dangote Group at the weekend re-opened its N10 billion flour mill in Kano. It bought back the mill from Tiger Branded Consumer Goods and rejuvenated it to boost local production of flour in the country.
Dangote noted that the investment by the company was also to create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the country and to save over 3000 jobs threatened by the former owners’ decision to shut down the mill.
The Africa’s richest man explained that the company has re-engineered the mill to meet the emerging challenges in the market place and also to meet the ever changing needs of its esteemed and loyal consumers.
He however stated that plans are underway to surpass its target of producing about 900,000mtpa of wheat in the country in order to save the nation’s scarce foreign exchange used in importing the commodity, calling on its shareholders, distributors and consumers to join its new board of directors to achieve this feat.
“I will like to assure you that we are back for good and we will never close this mill again. It has always been my desire to increase our investment in Kano. We are also looking forward to venture into farming in the State where we can create a lot of jobs and I think this flour mill will help us achieve this in Kano,” he said.
According to him, Kano is very strategic because most of its products receive tremendous patronage in the State, saying that the company’s return to Kano is a sign of good things to come.
“We decided to make this investment in November when Tiger Branded Consumer Goods decided to leave the country and we do not want over 3000 jobs to be lost. You can imagine these 3000 people going back into the job market in Nigeria. So we decided to seek ways to assist to ensure that these jobs are secured by injecting fresh cash of about N10 billion into the business,” he said.
In his words, “I want to assure our customers that we will continue to support you to make sure that we assist you with the necessary things needed to make your businesses a lot easier and more profitable. I am looking forward to you supporting the entire team to make sure the company surpasses its targets of 900,000 metric tonnes of wheat annually. I want to assure you that with the new board we have, this company will definitely excel with or without my presence.”
Earlier, the Chairman, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Ighodalo Asue, stated that with the takeover, the mill will become stronger, better sophisticated and more focused, stressing that it has taken a lot of steps to reposition the company through expansion and innovations programmes.
“We are also using this medium to restate our commitment to increasing our shareholders value and our dear customers. Let me assure you that we will continue to invest in the State and other parts of the country and even beyond the country, because we believe in job and wealth creation. It is our hope that our return to Kano will create more job opportunities and impact positively on the economy of the State,” he said.
Asue said: “I will like to commend Aliko Dangote for his investment in Dangote Flour Mills, a few months ago when Tiger Branded Company was going to leave the country, it appears that the fate of the company was in jeaopardy, but Aliko Dangote’s decision to buy back the company has saved the jobs of about 3000 employees and the shares of over a million shareholders. More importantly, the multiplier effect of his investment in the country is incalculable. We want to use this medium to thank you for your foresight and your hardwork.”
He commended its loyal distributors and customers for their loyalty to the company, maintaining that the company will continue to interact with its customers to get feedbacks on how to improve its businesses operations to serve the economy at large.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Flour Mills Thabo Mabe, commended the customers and distributors for their unwavering support and also standing firm with the company during its challenging period.
“I am particularly glad about the huge turnout of customers and distributors who came from far and wide to witness the occasion. We are using this opportunity to thank our loyal customers and distributors for their patience and understanding during our challenging moments. We have fully repositioned as a company to serve you better and to say we are here for a long hall. We do not only create jobs for people but provide a lot of incentives to customers to encourage them to grow their businesses so that you can grow our business. As our customers, you are critical stakeholders in our business and we will ensure that your needs are fully met. We will continue to count on your support as we also move to grow our market share in the industry. It is my hope that we continue to impact positively on your business and the entire economy at large,” he said.
The Executive Director, Commercials, Halima Dangote, said the re-opening of the mill will have a multiplier effect, not just in terms of the number of direct jobs that it will create, but also in terms of its ripple effects through thousands of indirect jobs that it will create.
“This, will in the long run, impact positively on the economy of Kano State and other neigbouring States,” she said.
She also pointed out that the company has undergone a successful transformation that will make it more responsive to the needs of its consumers and also the needs of the times.
“I would like to thank you for keeping faith with the company during its difficult moments, and I would like to reassure you that your faith has not been misplaced. We will strive to create a ‘win-win’ situation for all,” she added.
