The Kogi State Government has stated that it has resolved to reclaim the Obajana cement plant, which it claims it belongs to it and not to Dangote Cement Plc.
The state Commissioner of Information, Kingsley Fanwo disclosed this on Friday in a statement quoted by Punch. The state government said on Friday that it had not reached any agreement with the Dangote Group concerning the ownership of the cement plant.
The plant, located in Obajana, Kogi State, has been a subject of controversy as both parties claim to be the legitimate owners of the plant. Kogi State House of Assembly had on ordered and subsequently shutdown the cement plant last week over what its said was Dangote’s failure to show evidence of a valid acquisition of the cement plant from the Government of Kogi State in 2002.
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At a National Security Council meeting presided over by President Buhari on Friday in Abuja, the NSC ordered the reopening of the plant.
On Thursday, consultations and meeting between key Kogi State government officials led by Governor Yahaya Bello and stakeholders representing the different ethnic groups in the state came up with a resolution to “battle it to the end.”
The commissioner said that at the meeting, which ran into the early hours of Friday, “All stakeholders resolved to head to court in the interest of the people and generations to come.”`
He also noted in the statement that the governor made it clear that there was “no going back on the state’s resolve to reclaim its asset”.
“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 of 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 Alhaji Aliko Dangote in attendance.
“Discussions were 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.
“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.
“However, we maintain that the collective assets of the people of Kogi State must be protected and reclaimed in this instance. And that is the process the government has started. We will fight this battle to the end until we get justice from the courts. No committee can resolve this dispute,” the statement read.
While the National Security Council ordered for the reopening of the plant, it also advised that all that issues in contention be resolved legally adding that the government’s commitment to providing employment was not negotiable.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
