THE ownership of the Obajana Cement Plant has not been settled, according to the Kogi State Government’s statement yesterday
The facility, which is located in Obajana, Kogi State, has generated debate because both parties assert that they are its rightful owners.
In a new development, after discussions and inputs by stakeholders, the Kogi State Government has put procedures in place to take Dangote Group to court and reclaim ownership of the plant.
Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s commissioner of information, revealed this in a statement.
Fanwo stated that the government was prepared to “battle it to the end” and that the fight over who would own the plant was far from over.
The decision, according to Fanwo, was made after consultations and a meeting on Thursday night between senior official figures, including Governor Yahaya Bello, and stakeholders who represented the various ethnic groups in the state.
Fanwo said at the meeting, which ran into the early hours of Friday, “All stakeholders resolved to head to court in the interest of the people and generations to come.”
He also noted that the governor made it clear that there was “no going back on the state’s resolve to reclaim its asset”.
“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 Alhaji Aliko Dangote in attendance.
“Discussions were held and statements of interest were established, but there was no agreement yet as some desperate parties are trying to promote in the media to mislead the public.
“We shall be non-violent in our approach as we are sure of green pathways to success for the people in this battle for the economic future of our dear state.
“However, we maintain that the collective assets of the people of Kogi State must be protected and reclaimed in this instance. And that is the process the government has started. We will fight this battle to the end until we get justice from the courts. No committee can resolve this dispute,” the statement read.
