Kogi State To Sue Dangote Over Obajana Cement Plant

The dispute over the Obajana cement plant between the Kogi State Government and the Dangote Group has taken a new turn.
According to Akahi News, the state government announced in a statement that was issued by Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner of Information, its intention to sue Dangote in court regarding the plant’s ownership.
The commissioner made it clear that steps have been taken to sue the Dangote Group for trying to get back control of the plant.
He explained that key government officials, led by Governor Yahaya Bello, and stakeholders representing the various ethnic groups in the state met overnight and decided to go to court.
He added, “All stakeholders resolved to go to court in the interest of the people and generations to come, and the governor said there would be no going back on the state’s resolve to reclaim its asset.”
Fanwo claims that the new development follows a series of meetings and interventions by various stakeholders that resulted in no agreement with the Dangote Group regarding the ownership of the Obajana cement plant.
According to Fanwo, the government was prepared to “battle it to the end” as the struggle for plant ownership was far from over.
“Neither Governor Yahaya Bello nor his administration are the focus of this conflict.It is about Kogi State residents.In the last seventy-two hours, well-meaning Nigerians, leaders, and government officials have waded in and begged the governor to consider reopening the plant while discussions continue.
“We want to reassure the over four million Kogites 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. The expectations of the Kogites are clear and high.
“To break the impasse, there were a series of high-powered meetings, including meetings with the Governor and Aliko Dangote present.”
He made the observation that a number of talks have taken place and statements of interest have been made, but there hasn’t been a decision yet because some desperate parties are trying to get the word out in the media to mislead the public.
Fanwo said that the government started the process of reclaiming the plant to protect the people of Kogi State’s collective assets.
He stated, “We won’t give up on this fight until we get what we deserve from the courts.This dispute cannot be settled by a committee.
“We will be non-violent in our approach because we are certain of green paths to success for the people in this battle for the economic future of our dear state,” the statement reads.
In an effort to settle the ownership dispute, President Muhammadu Buhari had intervened and summoned the two factions.
Both parties claim to be the legitimate owners of the cement plant in Obajana, Kogi State, which has been the subject of controversy.