TRIBUNE
THE former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has dismissed as deliberate mischief the claim by the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, that his cement factory was demolished twice during his (Amosun) administration.
Dangote had, while revealing plans to reconstruct Itori Cement Plant and also return to Olokola Free Trade Zone (FTZ) to build the largest port in Ogun State, recounted how former Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration obstructed work of Itori Cement Plant during his tenure.
He disclosed that he decided to go back and invest in Ogun State because of the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration’s vision and deliberate policies that focus on attracting investors as well as the investor-friendly climate that exists in the state.
Dangote stated this on Monday during a courtesy visit to Governor Abiodun in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He described Ogun State as one of the most attractive investment destinations in Nigeria, which he said had crafted itself as the manufacturing ‘bedrock’ of Nigeria.
He said: “I think we need to have it on record that the factory we are visiting now in Itori, it is because of His Excellency that we came back. That factory was demolished twice. We started building, then Amosun demolished it.
“The second time we restarted building, then he demolished not only the factory but also the fencing, so we left. But right now, with the coming of His Excellency, my brother, Prince Dapo Abiodun, we are now back. If you go there, you will be very surprised.
“We earlier on abandoned our vision of investing in the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ), but because of your policies and investor-friendly environment, I want to say we are back and are going to work with the state government and return to Olokola and plans are underway to construct the largest port in the country.”
Giving an update on the company’s ongoing projects in the state, Alhaji Dangote said two new lines of 6.0 million-metric-ton-per-annum cement plant had been constructed at Itori, while the 12-million-metric-ton-per annum cement plant is also domiciled at Ibeshe.
He commended Governor Abiodun, who he referred to as his good friend and brother, for his vision and deliberate policies that focus on attracting enterprises through immense support for the private sector which is now attracting investors.
On completion, the business mogul assured that the total capacity of the company’s cement plants in the state would be in the neighborhood of 18 million metric tons per annum, making it the highest cement-producing state or region in Africa.
“With the contributions of other cement producers in the state, Ogun remains far ahead of other countries across Africa in terms of cement production,” he said.
Dangote Cement, according to him, is the leading cement producer in Africa with 52.0-metric-ton-per-annum capacity across the African continent.
He added that 70 percent of the production is carried out in Nigeria with Obajana plant in Kogi State accounting for 16.25 metric tons per annum, the largest in Africa.
According to him, investment in the manufacturing of the product had made the nation self-sufficient in cement just as the country is now self-sufficient in fertilizer with the surplus going for the export market thus earning the nation the needed foreign exchange.
While noting that the company’s target is to make Nigeria sufficient in whatever it consumes, Dangote said the company is currently meeting domestic demand for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from its 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery at Ibeju- Lekki, as well as refined aviation fuel and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Nigeria, he said, is a growing economy, hence the need for private companies to complement government efforts, assuring that his company would continue to demonstrate its belief in the nation and its people to make investments targeted at transforming the nation’s economy.
He lauded the traditional rulers and people of Itoro for their support and show of partnership which enabled the smooth and speedy takeoff of the cement plant, adding that the encouragement from the people of Yewaland had engendered smooth operations, assuring of continued adherence to its Corporate Social Responsibilities to the host communities.
In quick response, Governor Abiodun described the day the Dangote Refinery groundbreaking was performed in Lagos as “the day of heartbreak for sons and daughters of Ogun State as they watched helplessly on the television,” saying it was an indication that the project had left Olokola.
He thanked Dangote for coming back to Ogun State and also for his belief and trust in Nigeria.
“I want to thank you for all that you have done, the number of people that you have employed, the impact you continue to make not just in this state but Nigeria as a whole.
“The way you selflessly continue to promote this country all over the world, we can’t thank you enough. Your life and story continue to be an inspiring narrative to all young men. You have excelled in everywhere you touch; you have the Midas touch.
“These are indeed giant strides. For us in Ogun State, we welcome your flight back into the state. Today is the day of history, March 17, 2025, the same March when you did the groundbreaking in Lagos of the refinery and you are now coming back in the month of March to Ogun State.
Amosun to Dangote: ‘Not all Nigerians can be bullied, blackmailed’
However, the former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has dismissed as deliberate mischief the claim by Dangote that his cement factory was demolished twice during his (Amosun) administration.
In a statement entitled, ‘Re-Government Demolished My Cement Factory Twice’, signed by Lanre Akinwale, for Senator Ibikunle Amosun Media Office, the former governor challenged Dangote to “avail the public of the requisite approvals for the construction of the structures he alleged were demolished.”
Amosun noted that his government believed that there could not be two governments in a state, and Dangote, therefore, could not operate above the law or under a different set of laws.
“However, while we will wait to hear from him, we will like to state that not all Nigerians can be compromised, bullied or blackmailed. The notion that everyone has a price is an expression applicable only to people with weak foundations and questionable upbringing.
“This is why some of us will continue to uphold high standards in all our undertakings, irrespective of whose ox is gored,” the statement said.
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