…Says Obajana plant owned 100% by Dangote
The Management of Dangote Cement Plc has confirmed that the total amount of its staff shot at the Obajana Cement plant in Kogi state is 27.
Also against the state government’s claim that the plant does not belong to Dangote, the Group Managing Director (GMD) Michel Puchercos in a statement on Friday, said the plant is owned 100 per cent by it, adding that the invasion of the plant on Wednesday by Kogi government ordered armed vigilantes, was illegal.
Kogi state government had claimed it “has all the relevant documents to prove that the purported acquisition of Obajana by Dangote is null and void.”
However, Puchercos in the statement titled, “Illegal Shutdown of Dangote Cement, Obajana Plant”, said Dangote actually owns the Obajana plant 100%.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the forceful invasion which was aimed as shutting down the plant, left 27 of the workers shot and also destroyed some of the company’s property at the plant.
He added that the company had taken steps to arrest the hoodlums.
“We have taken steps to get the hoodlums apprehended by the law enforcement agencies, and we 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.
“While we reiterate that Obajana Cement plant is 100% owned by Dangote Cement PLC, we remain resolute in transforming Africa, while creating sustainable value for our people, communities, investors and customers,” Puchercos stated.
