To further consolidate its Pan African production profile, Dangote Cement Plc has announced the commencement of operations in its $150 million cement plant in Douala, Cameroon.

The commencement of production in Cameroon is coming on the heels of the inauguration of another 1.5 million tonnes capacity plant in Pout, Senegal, in March.

Already, the management of the company had last year listed some six plants across five African countries scheduled for completion this year.

The plants at various stages of construction, according to the Group President and Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote will add about 13.5 million metric tonnes of cement yearly to the existing capacity, when completed.

The ongoing plant projects according to him, include Zambia, 1.5mmtpa; Tanzania, 1.5mmtpa; South-Africa 3mmtpa; Republic of Congo, 1.5mmtpa; and Gabon 1.5mmtpa and Senegal 1.5mmtpa.

In Nigeria, Dangote Cement recently ramped up its capacity adding additional third and fourth production lines to the existing 6mmtpa in Ibese, Ogun state to bring the total capacity to 12mmtpa and another 3mmtpa line currently being added to the Obajana cement plant in Kogi state.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, yesterday, Dangote told a delegation from Organized Private Sector who visited him in the office that the 1.5 million tonnes per year capacity plant in Cameroon commenced initial production at one million tonnes per year before production would be stepped up to maximum capacity level.

The Dangote Cement Chairman stated that the Douala plant would revolutionize the cement industry in Cameroon and help stimulate the Eastern African economy as Dangote Cement would be churning out its known quality grade of 42.5 at a very competitive price.

He explained that the plant remained the most modern in Cameroon because of the latest technologies used in the construction from Germany, USA, France and put together by renowned plant engineers, Sinoma.

The Dangote Cement Chief stated that the Company started by importing Clinker and that production is being carried out at the most environmental friendly level pointing out that the dust emission by the plant is lower than the 50mm international standard.

He promised that Dangote Cement as a law-abiding organisation would play by the rules of the land and that it would replicate its robust Corporate Social Services in the host community.

On the economic benefit of the commencement of operation, Dangote stated that over 1000 people would be employed directly by the plant while over 5000 would benefit from the indirect employment to be generated by production activities of the plant.

He said: “We have brought our latest technology to Cameroon to build the plant, we are a very environmentally friendly company. We are producing the 42.5 grade cement we are known for in Cameroon and at a very competitive price. The Cement distributors, the consumers were all eager to have our product and we will not disappoint them.”