FG Reopens Obajana Cement Plant as Bello, Dangote Embrace Peace …Kogi Heads for Court

The Federal Government has ordered the reopening of the Obajana cement plant shut down by the Kogi State Assembly last week.

The order was part of decisions taken during Friday’s National Security Council meeting held in Abuja.

The council also advised that all the issues in contention be resolved legally and that the government’s commitment to providing employment was not negotiable.

The Kogi Assembly last week ordered the closure of the Obajana Cement plant owned by the Dangote Group, until the issue surrounding ownership of the cement plant was resolved.

The state government had claimed that available documents showed that the plant belonged to it, a claim refuted by the Dangote industries which claimed that the Kogi State Government had no stake whatsoever in the plant adding that the Kogi State government was not entitled to any dividend in the company.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government yesterday resolved to sue Dangote Cement Plc and reclaim the Cement plant.

The decision to go to court was taken at an emergency meeting between key government officials, led by Governor Yahaya Bello and stakeholders representing the different ethnic groups in the state.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, says all stakeholders resolved to head to court in the interest of the people and generations to come.

Fanwo stated that the Governor made it clear to the House that there was no going back on the state’s resolve to reclaim its asset, even while he sued for calm in the interest of peace.

“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 Alh. Aliko Dangote in attendance.

“Discussions were held and statements of interest were established. But there was no agreement yet.”

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