Management of Dangote Cement Plc has announced the reopening of its Gboko Cement Plant in Benue State.

The factory which is to operate at half capacity was closed down last year as a result of the glut in the domestic cement market.

The decision to reopen the plant was reached immediately after a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chairman of Dangote Cement Alhaji Aliko Dangote in Abuja yesterday.

Giving reasons for the reopening, a source from Dangote Cement said, "since the shutdown of the Gboko Cement Plant, government has been engaging local cement manufacturers in discussions, trying to find solutions to the challenges facing the industry.

According to the source, Aliko Dangote was in an upbeat mood after the meeting with the president and in appreciation of the President's concern and willingness to intervene; he gave immediate directives to restart operations at the Gboko plant.

Group Head, Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, Tony Chiejina confirmed the reopening and said, "we are confident that in the days ahead, we will see positive developments and actions that will address problems of local cement manufacturers in Nigeria."