Thousands of jobs at risk as Kogi orders Dangote cement to shutdown within 48 hours

In honor of the State House of Assembly, which ordered the company to remain sealed until the conglomerate provided it with the necessary documents demanded by the legislature, the Kogi State government has instructed the Dangote Group to ensure that its cement factory at Obajana is shut down within the next 48 hours, putting thousands of jobs at risk.

Unfortunately, this will have an impact on thousands of native Kogi whose livelihood depends on the enterprise. And based on all that appears, the state administration doesn’t appear to be aware of that meaning.

Yesterday, the state government issued the command while pretending to enforce the state house of assembly’s decision.
Many in the business community have been perplexed by the state government’s actions since the disagreement between it and Dangote Industries began and have disapproved of its use of self-help and muscling tactics. Many people who have been following the developments in Kogi have been perplexed by this, as they assume that this may be an apparent attempt to swindle the Dangote Group while coming from a state with a relatively small private sector.

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There is no precedent in the state for the government’s enthusiasm to carry out the State Assembly’s resolution, especially under the current administration. No previous resolution adopted by the same Assembly is known to have been enforced. Its decision to shut down such a sizable factory under its jurisdiction that affects the core of the country’s economy is sure to undermine investors’ faith in the nation and raise troubling concerns about the country’s adherence to the rule of law in the resolution of disputes.
The state government is acting with an uncommon enthusiasm to execute the resolution this time around, despite the fact that Assembly resolutions are typically advisory and have no legal effect.
A copy of the press release, which was signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, and made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday, contained the order to shut down the cement plant.
The Kogi state governor commended the residents of the state for “their resoluteness in the ownership dispute between the Dangote Group and the state government” in a statement.

“While the State Government Recognizes the Right of the Citizens to Peaceful Protest,” it said, “we ask the people to remain civil, law-abiding, and give room for Constitutionalism.

We aim to continue to be the most peaceful state in Nigeria, therefore a breakdown of law and order will not be in anyone’s best interests.

In order to do this, the governor has ordered that cement-loading trucks that have been seized throughout the state be freed with immediate effect so they can either go back to the facility or continue on their journeys quietly.

“As a state, we must preserve the tranquil and welcoming atmosphere that has drawn dozens of investment juggernauts to the state in the past seven years.”
In addition, the governor requested that the Dangote Group’s management “ensure the cement factory at Obajana is shut down within the next 48 hours in honor of the legislative arm of government which ordered the plant sealed until the Dangote Group furnishes the legislature with the necessary documents demanded by the legislature”

“As a government, we will stand up for and safeguard all governmental institutions against impunity.”

The governor also wants to reassure the state’s citizens of his unshakeable dedication to upholding their rights without giving in. He will make sure the state’s interests are protected through democratic means with a strong sense of honesty, accountability, and allegiance as the leader of the struggle with more than four million Kogites behind him.

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“We urge the populace to uphold the law, maintain composure, and have faith in the governor’s ability to carry out the people’s demand to reclaim their property.”

Additionally, we exhort security personnel to be on high alert to avert disorder in the face of the people’s roiling resentment for exploitation and oppression. With cool minds, we can only prevail in the upcoming war. We can only succeed when our people unite as we are doing now, the statement added.