The stand-off between the Kogi State Government and the management of Dangote Cement Plc, got messier on Saturday as both parties are engaged in loggerheads over the ownership of the Obajana Cement Plant near Lokoja.
Kogi government in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, in Lokoja, alleged that the management of the company was plotting to disrupt public peace in the state.
“We have uncovered certain plans by the company at a meeting held last night to cause chaos across the state as a fight-back strategy against the state government’s decision to get its own legally supported equity from the cement company,” the commissioner said.
“They resolved to block all the major highways across the state with their trucks to make traffic unfriendly in the state.
“If the company attempts to carry out any of his threats or deny our claims which are supported by facts, we will release visuals and audio of their meeting on this,” Fanwo said.
One of the company’s public relations officials, Mr Abubakar Jibrin, would not comment on any issue related to the matter.
But the management of Dangote Cement Plc said that the state government allegedly used some groups of persons to destroy the company’s assets and inflict injuries on some staff.
According to a statement issued by the Corporate Communications Department of Dangote Cement Plc, in Lokoja, the management alleged that some people invaded the cement plant on Wednesday.
“No fewer than 27 staff of the company are currently in bad conditions after the invasion.
“Cement trucks were also burnt, and many others were vandalised, as they forcefully took the company’s buses and vans.
“Since the attack, our vehicles carrying diesel have been attacked on Anyigba road,” the statement alleged.
