The National Security Council has said that Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and businessman Aliko Dangote have reached an agreement to end the feud over Obajana cement factory.
Police affairs minister Maigari Dingyadi stated this on Friday as he briefed journalists after the meeting of the council.
Dingyadi spoke after the interior minister, Rauf Aregbesola, appeared to rebuke Kogi State Government over its handling of the matter.
Aregbesola told journalists that the council ordered the reopening of the factory and urged aggrieved parties to seek legal action.
“The council noted the development in Kogi and has ordered the reopening of the cement factory that is closed down, has advised that all issues relating to that industry or factory should be resolved legally,” Argbesola said.
“Nobody must take law into their hands, either as a government or an individual. We are committed to guaranteeing and providing employment for Nigerians. So, whatever will, in any way, hinder that must be discouraged. So in that regard, the cement industry in Obajana must be reopened and all issues that are in dispute should be resolved legally.”
Dingyadi then added, “On the issue of Kogi, maybe he forgot to mention that an agreement has been reached between the Kogi State government and the Dangote Cement in Kogi on the need to reopen the factory and to ensure that peace is maintained in the state.
“Government is committed to providing employment to the citizens, rather than closing factories that will make people unemployed. These are some of the issues we have reached and we do hope that the parties involved will respect this agreement and come to terms with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties involved.”
Kogi State Government had sealed the factory, accusing the owner, Dangote Cement, of not acquiring the plant legally, an allegation the company denied.
