Shutting down our Obajana Cemetery plant illegal, says Dangote group

The Dangote Group has described as illegal, the Shutting down of the Dangote Cement, Obajana Plant on the orders of the kogi state government

The state government was said to be acting on the directive of the Kogi state house of who is currently carrying out an investigation in the actual owner of the company.

The kogi state governor while speaking recently in Lokoja, had insisted that the company belongs to the state government and not the other way round.

However, in a statement by the Group Managing Director of Dangote Industries, Michel Puchercos, reiterated that the Obajana Cement plant is 100% owned by Dangote Cement PLC.

Hi his words “The Management of Dangote Cement PLC, wishes to inform members of the public, especially its customers and other stakeholders of the recent invasion of its Obajana Cement Plant, Kogi State by armed vigilantes on the orders of the state government.

“The vigilantes, led by some officials of the State government were apparently acting on a resolution of the Kogi state House of Assembly on controversial tax claims; claims that the state governor had also contradicted when he said the shutdown was due to an alleged invalid acquisition of the company by Dangote Industries Limited.

“In the process of forcefully evicting the workers to enforce the shutdown, the vigilantes shot at 27 of our workers and also destroyed some of the company’s property at the plant.

He said the company has taken steps to get the hoodlums apprehended by the law enforcement agencies and will ensure that full legal action is taken against them.

“We therefore appeal to all our staff and our esteemed customers to remain calm while we explore all possible legal steps to address the situation. The welfare of our staff remains our key focus as we work hard to minimize further impact on our people and operations

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