The Kogi State government has said the cement factory at Obajana in Lokoja Local Government Area, which was reportedly sold to the Dangote Group in 2002, will remain closed.
The House of Assembly, on Wednesday, had ordered the shutdown of the cement factory, pending the resolution of the ownership tussle between the state government and Dangote Group. The government order is coming on the heels the ownership tussle between the state government and Dangote Group.
Governor Yahaya Bello has asked the business conglomerate to shut down its operations within 48 hours.
A statement yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, by Information and Communications Commissioner Kingsley Femi Fanwo reads: “Breakdown of law and order will not be in the interest of anyone as we hope to remain the most peaceful state in Nigeria. To this end, the governor has directed that trucks loading cement that are impounded across the state be released with immediate effect to either return to the plant or go to their destinations peacefully.
“As a state, we must retain the peaceful and business friendly environment that has attracted scores of investment giants to the state in the last seven years.”
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The commissioner added that the governor urged the management of Dangote Group to ensure that the cement factory shut down its operations within the next 48 hours in honour of the legislature which ordered the plant sealed until the Dangote Group furnishes the lawmakers with requisite documents on the company’s sales.
“As a government, we will defend and protect all government institutions against impunity. The governor wishes to assure the people of the state of his unwavering commitment to defending their interest without compromise.
“As the face of the struggle with the over four million Kogites behind him, he will ensure the interest of the state is defended with a high sense of integrity, responsibility and allegiance through democratic instruments.
“We call on the people to remain calm and law-abiding as well as continue to have faith in the leadership of the governor to deliver on the mandate of the people to take back what belongs to them.
“We also urge security agents to be on red alert to prevent anarchy in the face of the boiling anger of the people against exploitation and oppression. We can only win the battle ahead with cool heads. When our people come together, like we are now, all we can do is win,” the statement added.