The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed dismay at the Kogi State Government’s unprovoked attacks and sealing up of the Dangote Cement Factory in Obiajana, over unfounded allegations.
The President of the Manufacturers umbrella body, Mansur Ahmed, while addressed Journalists on the issue on Thursday in Lagos, wondered why the Kogi State government is resorting to self-help instead of channeling its grievances through the court of law.
The outgoing President of MAN said the Kogi State government should be call to order by the country’s authorities and we’ll meaning Nigerians to save the industry, adding that the government action is sending negative signals to would be investors in the country.
In his words, “Kogi State government and it’s operatives should be called to order. Its action of sealing up Dangote Cement Factory for no justifiable reasons could send wrong signals to would be investors in the country.
“If the state government has any legitimate grievances the door of the company is open for dialogue. If there is any legitimate tax the company has not paid, such issues could be discussed in a friendly and civilised manner rather than taking laws into their hands.
“The court of law is there for the government and the corporate citizens and the people to seek their redress,” he stressed.
Ahmed added that the manufacturers in totality in Nigeria condemn the action of the Kogi State government, who despite all the taxes and providing employment for the teeming youths of the state, is carrying out such dastardly action.
It would be recalled that the Kogi State House of Assembly carried out an inquiry into cement factory’s operations and allegedly revealed that the company was not legitimately acquired and subsequently ordered the closure of the company.
Meanwhile, the management of Dangote says no fewer than seven of its staff were shot and several others injured by the over 500 armed members of the state security outfit, that stormed the cement factory at the alleged instance of the state governor Yayah Bello.
Unconfirmed report has it that jubilant youths trooped to the company on hearing the news of the closure with intention to chase workers away but we’re stopped by law enforcement agents who promptly waded in to avoid damage.
The youths claimed that the company had neglected the host community despite making billions of naira on monthly basis.
The rampaging youths also alleged, among other things, that residents in the community are dying from illnesses as a result of pollution from activities of the company.
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