Connect with us
Advertisement

Nigeria News

Kogi State To Sue Dangote Over Obajana Cement Plant

Published

on

The dispute between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Group over the Obajana cement plant has taken a new twist.

Naija News reports that the state government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner of Information, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed its intention to sue Dangote in court over the ownership of the plant.

The commissioner disclosed that measures have been put in place to take the Dangote Group to court in its bid to reclaim ownership of the plant.

He explained that the decision to go to court followed overnight consultations and meetings between key government officials led by Governor Yahaya Bello and stakeholders representing the different ethnic groups in the state.

“All stakeholders resolved to head to court in the interest of the people and generations to come, and the governor said no going back on the state’s resolve to reclaim its asset,” he added.

According to Fanwo, the new development comes after no agreement was reached with the Dangote Group concerning the ownership of the Obajana cement plant, after a series of meetings and interventions by various stakeholders.

Fanwo said, “The battle for the ownership of the plant was far from over and that the government was ready to “battle it to the end.”

“This struggle is not about Governor Yahaya Bello or his administration. It is about the people of Kogi State. In the last 72 hours, well-meaning Nigerians, leaders and government officials have waded in and have pleaded with the governor to consider reopening the plant while discussions are ongoing.

“The expectations of the over four million Kogites are clear and high and we want to assure them that the Governor and the Government of Kogi State will not compromise the interest of the people of the state to reclaim their rights in the cement company.

“There were a series of high-powered meetings to resolve the impasse, including meetings having the Governor and Aliko Dangote in attendance.”

He remarked that a series of discussions have been held and statements of interest were established, but there was no agreement yet as some desperate parties are trying to promote in the media to mislead the public.

Fanwo pointed out that the process the government started was towards protecting the collective assets of the people of Kogi State by reclaiming the plant.

He said: “We will fight this battle to the end until we get justice from the courts. No committee can resolve this dispute.

“We shall be non-violent in our approach as we are sure of green pathways to success for the people in this battle for the economic future of our dear state.”

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had intervened in the matter and summoned the two factions in a bid to resolve the ownership dispute.

The cement plant, which is located in Obajana, Kogi State, has been a subject of controversy as both parties claim to be the legitimate owners of the plant.