In the dispute over ownership of the cement facility in Obajana, Kogi State, between the Dangote Group and the Kogi State government, the presidency has gotten involved.
According to Daily Trust, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, and Governors Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa) met at the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President in the Presidential Villa in Abuja to establish a common ground in resolving the crisis.
The meeting was verified by a reliable source in the Presidency, and the governor of Kogi State was seen walking towards the Chief of Staff Office shortly after attending the launch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Presidential Campaign Committee at the State House Banquet Hall.
Reports earlier stated that the Kogi State government closed down the Obajana factory due to claims of tax evasion and disputed ownership even as the management of Dangote Group said it had concluded plans to approach the court to seek legal redress on the legality.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State vigilance members allegedly raided the cement mill and harmed many workers in an attempt to force them out of the site.
The Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Michel Puchercos in a statement had said, “We reiterate that the Obajana Cement plant is 100% owned by Dangote Cement PLC. In forcefully evicting the workers to enforce the shutdown, the vigilantes shot 27 of our workers and destroyed some of the company’s property at the plant.”
More details to come.
