ENOUGH Is ENOUGH? After Hungry Nigerians Looted Dangote Truck Carrying Food Items, SEE What Dangote Company Announced
The Dangote Group of Companies has explained that they are not responsible for the rising prices of food items being experienced in the country, following a viral video of Nigerians raiding a truck allegedly belonging to the group and carrying bags of rice. The video, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter), showed a group of people in an unidentified location in the northern part of the country, blocking and looting the truck amid the worsening food crisis. The incident sparked outrage and concern among Nigerians, who blamed the government and the Dangote Group for the economic hardship and hunger in the country.
However, an Executive Director of the Dangote Group, Hajiya Fatima Aliko Dangote, has clarified that the group is not the producer of the food items that were looted from the truck. She said the group had sold its food processing company to Olam Group, a global food and agri- business company, five years ago.
She explained that as part of the concession agreement, Olam Group was allowed to use the Dangote brand name for its products until next year. She said the Dangote Group only produces sugar, salt, and seasonings, and plans to start producing rice soon.
She also said the group is not responsible for the price hike of its products, as it depends on the exchange rate of the dollar and the cost of raw materials from abroad. She said the group is not aware of the market price of cement, which is reported to be N15, 000 per 50kg bag, and that the actual price should be around N7, 000 to N8, 000 depending on the location. She expressed her hope that the situation will improve soon and that the group is not happy with the way prices are skyrocketing, which the group cannot
control.
The Dangote Group is one of the largest conglomerates in Africa, with interests in cement, sugar, salt, flour, pasta, noodles, poly products, logistics, real estate, agriculture, telecommunications, steel, oil and gas, and beverages. The group is owned by Aliko Dangote, who is the richest man in Africa and the 12th richest person in the world, according to Forbes.
The group has been accused of monopolizing the market and exploiting Nigerians with its high prices and poor quality products. Some Nigerians have also criticized the group for allegedly
receiving preferential treatment from the
government and enjoying tax waivers
and subsidies.
The group has denied these allegations
and claimed that it is contributing to the economic development and social welfare of the country. The group has also embarked on several corporate social responsibility projects, such as building roads, schools, hospitals, and providing scholarships, among others. The looting of the Dangote truck is a reflection of the dire situation of many Nigerians, who are struggling to afford basic necessities amid the rising inflation, unemployment, poverty, and Insecurity in the country. The government has been urged to take urgent measures to address these challenges and alleviate the suffering of
the masses.
(Daily Trust )