Kogi Assembly stops Dangote Coal from operating in Olamaboro, Ankpa councils

Orders management to reappear before lawmakers on Sept 26

Kogi House of Assembly has directed the Commissioner of Police and Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to stop operations of Dangote Coal, a subsidiary of Dangote Plc, in Olamaboro and Ankpa councils of the state.

The Speaker, Matthew Kolawole, gave the order, yesterday, during a public hearing on activities of Dangote Group in the state.

He specifically charged the NSCDC commandant to ensure immediate implementation pending when the ad hoc committee on revenue clarifies some grey areas.

Kolawole, while lamenting the environmental damages caused by mining activities on Kogi by the group and its subsidiaries, accused the business concern of making billions in the state but yet fails to give back to it. He stated that the organisation has been dishonouring the legislative chamber’s invitations.

The Speaker said the Assembly was on a fact-finding mission to ascertain at what time Obajana Cement factory rebranded to Dangote Cement Plc.

Also, the House, according to Kolawole, wanted to know when the state government’s 10 per cent share was transferred to the company.

He also hinted that the legislature wants to ascertain the Certificate of Ownership and many more about the company’s operations in the state.

The lawmakers, consequently, ordered management of Dangote Group to reappear before them on September 26 for further investigation.

Representatives of the company in Kogi, external solicitor, Liman Salihu, General Manager Logistics and Special Duties, Ademola Adeyemi and General Manager Administration, Adinoyi Haruna, were in the hallowed chamber to make presentations.