Ogun Assembly invites Dangote Cement over alleged environmental abuse

Ogun State House of Assembly, has passed a resolution summoning the management of Dangote Cement Company to provide the plant’s master plan.

The decision, made on Tuesday, followed the presentation of a report by the joint House Committees on Trade, Commerce and Investment, and Environment, chaired by Adebisi Oyedele.

Presenting the report, Oyedele remarked, “The committee found the company culpable of the allegations levelled against it. The committee observed the lackadaisical approach and nonchalant attitude of the company to the livelihood of the people, having constructed a cement factory for decades without a trailer park and deliberately causing havoc on the host communities, as well as commuters plying the road, among others.”

The report stemmed from the Assembly’s earlier request for the company to provide comprehensive plans addressing environmental degradation, haphazard parking, and other issues arising from operations at its Ibese cement plant in the Yewa North Local Government Area.

The committee recommended that the company must submit the Ibese plant’s master plan reflecting all related facilities.

“The Dangote Group must avail the House with the Ibese cement plant master plan, reflecting all its adjuring facilities, including the trailer park and industrial drainage channel, in line with international best practices.”

The Assembly emphasised the importance of the company being more proactive in fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsibilityobligations to the affected communities.