By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
The Kogi State House of Assembly has directed the Commissioner of Police to stop Dangote Coal, a subsidiary of Dangote PLC to stop operations in Olamaboro and Ankpa Local Government Areas of Kogi State respectively.
The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Mathew Kolawole, gave the directive on Wednesday during a public hearing on the activities of Dangote Groups in the state.
He also directed the State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp to ensure that the directive is implemented with immediate effect pending when the ad hoc committee on revenue clarifies some grey areas.
While lamenting the environmental damages caused by mining activities in Kogi State by Dangote Group of Companies and its subsidiaries, Kolawole said the organization was making billions of nairas from Kogi state but failed to give back to the state from what they are generating.
The speaker fumed that the lawmakers had extended invitations to the company but it failed to honor it on several occasions.
Kolawole noted that the Assembly was on a fact-finding mission to know at what time the Obajana Cement Factory changed to Dangote Cement PLC.
Also, the House, according to the speaker wanted to know when the 10 percent state government’s own share was transferred to the company.
He also hinted that the Assembly want to ascertain the Certificate of Ownership and many more of the company operation in Kogi State
The House, however, ordered the management of Dangote groups of Company to reappear before the House on Monday, September 26 2022 for further investigations on the organization.
The representatives of Dangote Group of companies in Kogi State, External Solicitor, Liman Salihu, General Manager Logistics, and Special Duties, Ademola Adeyemi, and General Manager Administration, Adinoyi Haruna were in the Chambers to make presentations on behalf of the company.
