Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called on Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to direct a truce and dialogue between the Kogi State Assembly and the management of Dangote Cement at Obajana to protect the image of the state as an investment destination.
In a statement issued by its Director General, Dr Victoria Akai, the ACCI described both the Kogi state Governor and the Owner of Dangote Industry, Alhaji Aliko Dangote as men of peace who should resolve any business dispute through consensus without jeopardizing multi-billion naira investment and thousands of jobs of Kogi indigenes.
The Chamber while calling for the reopening of the plant as dialogue continues regrets that for everyday the factory is shut, millions of naira are lost and the reputation of Kogi State takes a negative hit, positing that “tax and ownership disputes are issues top leaders should amicably resolve.
“We therefore call for the immediate re-opening of the factory and commencement of alternative dispute resolution. Dangote Cement is a company with commendable sustainability records. The company has blazed the trail within Nigeria and across Africa. Nothing should therefore, be done to truncate the growing business at a time other African countries are opening their doors widely for Dangote investment.
“The factory has been able to take many out of the street thereby reducing unemployment that has been a major problem in the country. The closure of the factory will further increase unemployment. It is in the best interest of Kogi state to reopen the factory so as not to scare away local and foreign investors”, the statement noted.
Signed
Dr Victoria Akai,
Director General, ACCI
