The Kogi State government has shut down Dangote Cement Plc, located in the Obajana area of the state, following recent altercations between the authorities in the state and the cement maker.
The cement factory is owned by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Kano-born president of Dangote Group.
The Kogi government, had, among others, demanded 10 percent in the business activities of the company in Kogi State, the demand to which the company has reportedly not acceded over time.
This latest development between the state and Dangote Cement indicates that the running battle between Kogi State House of Assembly and the company seems to be getting hotter as the House of Assembly on behalf of Kogi State Government has asked for the 10 percent shares from the investment.
It was learnt that the state lawmakers insisted the 10 percent shares being demanded from the representatives of Dangote Cement belong to the state government.
The legislators also alleged that all available documents showed that the company started as “Obajana Cement Company”, and asked at what point it turned into “Dangote Cement Company” without any considerations.
Dangote Cement is reportedly facing allegations of sharp practice from Kogi State Government, Kogi State Assembly as well as Akwa Ibom State, in South -South Nigeria.
It is recalled that the Kogi State House of Assembly recently, ordered stoppage to the business activities of the company in two Local Governments Areas in the State while investigations continue.
In order to press home its claim, the State House of Assembly had ordered the Management of Dangote Cement to provide all necessary documents in connection with the transfer of Obajana Cement Company, owned by Kogi State Government to Dangote Cement Company.
The House also directed that the documents signed at the establishment of the company and relevant receipts of dues it claimed to have paid to Kogi State Government Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) available at the next adjourned sitting date.
