Dangote set to end 2-year blackout in 21 towns

The Dangote Cement Ibese Management has reiterated its decision to support IBEDC in putting an end to a two-year power blackout in twenty-one (21) towns, keeping to its promise to provide most of the materials needed to restore the electricity, adding that the materials will be delivered on or before May 30, 2025.

Speaking on behalf of the Cement manufacturing company, Mr Olayiwola Abiodun Wakeel, the Social Performance Head, made this known on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at a crucial meeting held with the Chairman of Yewa North Local Government Council, Dr Olusola Akinbode at the Conference Hall of Dangote Cement, Ibese.

Mr Wakeel assured the people who have been in the blackout for more than two years that Dangote has not slept over its January 2025 promise to offer the needed support, but waiting on the contracted vendors to deliver the materials.

“It is not true that Dangote was responsible for the power blackout in any of the twenty-one (21) towns”, Mr Wakeel affirmed.

“In fact, Dangote Cement, Ibese doesn’t connect to any power distributing companies; be it IBEDC or any other one. We are the one generating the quantum of electricity that’s been used to power all our operations here”.

“We, however, agreed at the January 2025 stakeholder meeting held at the House of Assembly Complex, Abeokuta, to support IBEDC, not for any other reason, but because we, as good neighbour, value peace and comfortability, as well, advocating peaceful co-existence.

“We are happy to tell you that as we speak, all the four vendors have nearly met up their biddings, so, on or before May 30, 2025, we are going to present the materials to IBEDC.

“We hope that IBEDC will be able to fulfill its own part of the agreement to restore the electricity within four to six weeks as promised”.

The Chairman of Yewa North LGA, Dr Olusola Akinbode, having thanked Dangote for its unrelenting mindset at making life bearable for its host community and others, implored Dangote to consider his people (Yewa North and South) for a reasonable discount in the retail price of Cement within the premises.

Dr Olusola Akinbode said, Dangote will be celebrated for giving such consideration to the people, at least making it possible for them to buy Cement at about a thousand naira discount.

“I am giving you time to deliberate over it. Please, give it a thorough and favourable considerations.

“Dangote will be appreciated and celebrated for granting my people such a developmental discount.

“It is going to give the people a measure of economic empowerment”.

Concluding, the Chairman noted that Dangote, considering its track records, has been doing wonderfully well, hence remains the friend of the community.

Other senior staff at the meeting were Mr Ademola Ojolowo (Social Performance, DCI), Mr Bode Akiode (External Relations, DCI) and Mr Chudi (Sales)