KEY POINTS

• Dangote Cement’s Okpella factory is investing ₦6.5 billion in a 7.5km concrete road linking its plant to the highway.
• The project, which began in May 2026, is expected to be completed and commissioned by May 2027.
• The company says the road will address transport difficulties, improve access for host communities and strengthen security.
• Plans include drainage channels on both sides and solar-powered street lighting.

MAIN STORY

Dangote Cement’s Okpella factory in Edo State is investing ₦6.5 billion in a 7.5km concrete access road to improve connectivity between its plant and the highway.

The factory’s Plant Director, Ismael Mohammed, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Okpella, saying construction began in May 2026 and is expected to be completed and commissioned by May 2027.

“Approximately, the road is going to cost about N6.5 billion, and the job started somewhere around May 2026.

“The road is expected to be fully completed and commissioned by May 2027,” Mohammed said.

He said the project was intended to improve the wellbeing of factory workers, business stakeholders and residents of the host community, while addressing security concerns associated with the existing access route.

Mohammed described the road as a longstanding challenge for the factory and its stakeholders, particularly during engagements with members of the surrounding community.

He said the plant’s location away from the highway had made access difficult and exposed road users to security risks.

The plant director recalled a kidnapping incident on May 13, 2024, along the road, saying improved road conditions could have helped prevent the incident.

“On many occasions, when we invite people from the community for meetings, one of the biggest concerns is the condition of the road.

“The fact that the plant is isolated, living far inside the bush, means the road has posed quite a lot of security threats,” he said.

He added that the company made the road a priority after considering the impact of the poor access route on its operations and surrounding communities.

The contract was awarded to Rockseed, a Nigerian company owned by a Chinese firm, Mohammed said.

The project involves constructing a concrete road with drainage channels on both sides to improve access and manage water runoff.

The company also plans to install solar-powered streetlights along the route, from the factory gate to the highway, to improve visibility for motorists travelling at night.

“By the time we finish the road, we are planning to put solar lights from the gate to the highway.

“At least, this will enable people to drive on the road at night,” he said.

THE ISSUES

Access roads are important to industrial operations because they connect factories to the wider transport network used to move raw materials, finished products, workers and business partners.

When the road leading to a plant is in poor condition, the problem extends beyond the inconvenience of travelling to and from the facility. It can make deliveries more difficult, increase transport costs and complicate movement for employees, contractors and host communities.

For Dangote Cement’s Okpella factory, the road also has a security dimension. Mohammed’s account of the 2024 kidnapping incident shows how poor access and the plant’s isolated location have become concerns for people using the route. However, improved road conditions and lighting should be seen as measures that may reduce some risks, not guarantees against criminal activity.

The drainage channels are another important part of the project. Without proper drainage, water can accumulate around road surfaces, weaken the structure and cause deterioration. Providing channels on both sides is intended to direct runoff away from the road and support its durability.

The planned solar lighting could also improve night-time visibility without depending on a conventional electricity connection along the entire route. Its effectiveness will depend on proper installation and maintenance.

WHAT’S BEING SAID

“The fact that the plant is isolated, living far inside the bush, means the road has posed quite a lot of security threats.” – Ismael Mohammed, Plant Director, Dangote Cement Okpella factory.

“This road has been a bottleneck to us, our business and all other stakeholders.” – Ismael Mohammed, Plant Director, Dangote Cement Okpella factory.

WHAT’S NEXT

Construction is expected to continue towards the May 2027 completion and commissioning deadline. The company also plans to install solar lights along the road before the project is fully delivered.

BOTTOM LINE

Dangote Cement’s ₦6.5 billion road project addresses a long-standing access problem around its Okpella factory. Beyond improving movement to the plant, the investment is intended to support business operations, community access and security along the 7.5km route.