After intervening in the tussle between Kogi State Government and Dangote Cement Plc over the ownership of Obajana cement factory, the federal government has ordered the reopening of the plant.
The federal government’s order to reopen the cement plant, which was shut last week on the orders of the Kogi State Government, was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, on Friday at the end of the National Security Council meeting.
The former governor of Osun State said that an agreement had been reached between Kogi State Government and Dangote Group on the necessity to reopen the cement factory, urging both parties to sheathe their swords and honor the deal.
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“The council noted the development in Kogi and has ordered the reopening of the cement factory that is closed down and has advised that all issues related to that industry or factory should be resolved in accordance with the law, legally.
“Nobody must take the law into their own hands, either as a government or an individual. We are committed to guaranteeing and providing employment for Nigerians, whatever will hinder that or impede that must be discouraged.
“So, in that regard, the cement industry in Obajana must be reopened and all issues that are in dispute should be resolved legally,” Aregbesola said.
The lingering squabble between the Kogi State Government and Dangote Group over the ownership of the Obajana Cement Company escalated last week, following the inability of the duo to resolve it amicably. Dangote Cement claims 100% ownership of the plant while the Kogi State government said it is co-owned by the state, and that the company has been short-changing both the state and its indigenes by not giving the state its fair share.
Also, the Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, who’s part of the federal government-led peace initiative, said an amicable solution has been reached to bring to an end this unfortunate development.
“An agreement has been reached between the Kogi State Government and the Dangote Cement in Kogi on the need to reopen the factory and ensure that peace is restored in the state,” he noted.
A picture shared on Friday after the NSC meeting, showed the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote in what appeared like a reconciliatory pose. However, the picture does not indicate that an agreement has been reached by both parties.
The Kogi State Government is yet to acknowledge that the matter has been settled, suggesting that the fight over the cement plant has not ended.