REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS Safety and environment workshops are organised with a broad focus on good housekeeping to ensure good and safe working environment. Firefighting and prevention equipment are installed in strategic locations in the offices and plants. The Company continues to place a premium on its human capital development arising from the fact that this will ensure the improved efficiency of the business and maintain strategic advantage over its competition. Employees attended local and international training and development programmes during the period under review. Employees are provided with information about the Company through the Internal Communications Unit, which publishes information on the Company’s website and intranet. The Company is committed to equal opportunity for individuals in all aspects of employment. The Company gives every consideration to applications for employment by disabled persons where the requirements of the job may be adequately filled by a disabled person. Where existing employees become disabled, it is the policy, wherever practicable, to provide continuing employment under similar terms and conditions and to provide training as appropriate. Retirement benefits The Company operates a contributory pension scheme for its employees in Nigeria, in line with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act, 2014. The scheme is funded through employees’ and employer’s contribitions in the ratio of 8% and 10% of the total emoluments of the employee, as prescribed by the Act. Post balance sheet events No material event took place between 31st December 2016 and the date on which these accounts were signed. Research and innovation With rapid urbanisation and population growth in Africa, the Company realises that meeting housing and infrastructure needs will be a challenge. We are constantly looking for solutions that will respond to these construction challenges. In search of self-sufficiency in all production inputs, Dangote Cement plans to source coal from mines in Kogi State operated by its parent company Dangote Industries Limited. The Company is also working with the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN) to explore the possibility of mining gypsum locally in Nigeria. Gypsum remains one of the raw materials required for the production of cement that is not commercially mined in Nigeria at present. The Company is committed to building capacity locally to explore and exploit gypsum reserves within Nigeria to reduce dependence on imports. Capital structure The Company has one class of ordinary shares, which reflect the total value of the share capital. Each ordinary share carries the right to one vote at the Company’s Annual General Meeting. The percentage shareholding and transfer of shares are governed by the Company’s Articles of Association and relevant regulation. There are no restrictions with respect thereto. Substantial interest in shares As at 31st December 2016 and also at the date of this report, only Dangote Industries Limited held more than 5% of the issued share capital of the Company. Details are provided below. 31st December, 2016 Shareholder: Dangote Industries Limited Number of ordinary shares: 15,494,247,300 % of issued ordinary shares: 90.93% 27th February, 2017 Shareholder: Dangote Industries Limited Number of ordinary shares: 15,494,247,300 % of issued ordinary shares: 90.93% 96 Annual Report 2016
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