TheCable

The Kogi government says the Dangote Group should provide proof of ownership in the ongoing Obajana Cement ownership tussle.

The state government made this known on Monday in a statement signed by Kingsley Fanwo, commissioner for information and communications.

Fanwo said the Dangote Group and its image-makers should focus on “proving total ownership of Obajana Cement Company rather than chasing shadows”.

According to NAN, Fanwo said the group’s latest attempt to malign the state government in its statement titled: “Dangote not involved in Kogi Assembly Fire Outbreak”, was a desperate one, insisting that the state had a “well-defined channel of communication that is known to the public”.

Fanwo said the fight for the ownership of Obajana cement company was not about an individual but a collective agitation by indigenes of the state who had felt short-changed for too long as regards the subject matter.

“We remain resolute in our position on the Obajana cement company and that remains the matter to be determined rather than any attempt to drag the state government into any mud fight,” Fanwo said.

“A few days ago, we released credible intelligence to the public of plans to attack the state and officials of the government.

“Among many other measures at stifling the voice of the Kogi government in the ongoing battle for the ownership of the Obajana cement company. A few days later, our legislative complex was razed by fire.

“In the official statement of the government of Kogi, we called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and make their findings public.

“We reiterate that anyone found to be involved in burning down the Kogi assembly complex will be prosecuted and made to face the test of justice.”

Fanwo further said only the truth could resolve the ongoing ownership tussle, maintaining that the state would “not succumb to any psychological warfare”.

“We are aware of emails and deliberate harassment of the media to concoct unfounded stories around Kogi and Gov. Yahaya Bello,” he added.

“But this will do nothing to change the facts around the ownership of Obajana cement company, which the Kogi people, and indeed, Nigerians, are interested in.

“It is a battle we need to fight for the generation-next Kogi people while also setting a standard of transparent corporate governance.

“The present administration has created a conducive environment for investments and business growth.

“Many business entities have come into the state to the benefit of our economy and the people, and they have very good stories to tell. What we demand here is what belongs to the state.”

Meanwhile, there was a fire outbreak at Kogi state house of assembly in the early hours of Monday.

The Dangote Group had denied any link to the fire outbreak.

The company refuted claims that it was responsible for the development in a statement signed by Anthony Chiejina, group head branding and communications, Dangote Industries Limited.

Chiejina said the company, as a socially responsible corporate entity, totally refuted the allegation and condemned “the unprofessional and irresponsible attempt to smear its image before local and international investors and thus erode its brand value”.

He said the company would never stoop so low as to sponsor thugs to destroy any property belonging to either government or any individual.

According to him, such action runs contrary to the group’s business ethos and everything the company stands for as a leading manufacturer with teeming customers and consumers across Nigeria and Africa.