Dangote Cement Company,Obajana.
Photo: The Vanguard Nigeria.
By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Oworo Youth Vanguard,Oworo district of Lokoja Local Governnent Area of kogi state has commended Governor Yahaha Bello over the recent report of the Specialized Technical Committee on the Evaluation of the Legality of the Alleged Acquisition of Obajana Cement Company by Dangote Cement Company Limited.
Members of the Vanguard made the commendation in a statement signed by Amari S. Christopher and Obaro Kasim Jimoh, President Secretary- General respectively and made a copy available to The Reporters,an online publication in Lokoja on Monday.
The Oworo Youth Vanguard is the umbrella body of the youths from all the communities in Oworo land saddled with the responsibility of promoting peaceful coexistence among Oworo youths and to facilitate developmental projects to the entire Oworoland while Oworo District is the host where Dangote Cement Company Limited, Obajana Plant is located.
The district consists of over 30 communities with a Paramount Traditional Ruler, the Olu of Oworo.
The Youth Vanguard identified the concern and bane of Oworo people to include “the insignificant impact of Dangote Cement Company Limited Obajana on the mining communities (Upstream), the communities around the industrial plants (Downstream) and total neglect of other Oworo communities.”
The youth organization called for the the review of the existing community development plans, if any, evaluate Dangote’s Corporate Social Responsibily (CSR) for the last 15 years of its operation vis – a – vis the company’s annual report made public yearly.
This, the Youth Vanguard said, is necessary to identify the impact of the vomp6 on Oworo communities, evaluate the level of Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) compliance at both upstream and downstream operation of the company.
They also called for the need for generic Memorandum of understanding (MOU), based on the spirit of unity and progress of the entire Oworo communities.
The effort,according to the youths, should include the role of their paramount traditional ruler, the Olu of Oworo,in line with international best practices and determine appropriate benefits from the company such as provision of empowerment scheme, scholarship and employment opportunities to youths of the district.
“We urge the state government to examine the role of Jakura Marble Industry in mining consent transfer to Dangote Cement Company Limited without consulting with the host communities.
“In case Dangote Cement Company Limited turns down the above demands, we humbly crave the indulgence of our amiable Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, to terminate the recently acquired mining consent by Dangote Cement Company Limited from the Paramount Traditional Ruler of Oworoland,to give room to other progressive investors.”
“The action of the state government on Dangote Cement Company Limited is no doubt a remedy to averting future youths’ restiveness around the company,” the Youth Vanguard noted.
