Lokoja – The Oworo people in Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State have expressed their unflinching and unalloyed support to Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello for standing firmly to defend the State and most especially the entire host communities in the exploitation/marginalization posture of Dangote Cement Company, Obajana.
The people stated their position on the ownership tussle over the company in a letter addressed to Governor Yahaya Bello , a copy of which was obtained by newsmen in Lokoja on Monday .
The traditional ruler of Oworo People, Mallam Mohammed Adoga Baiyerohi signed the letter on behalf his subjects.
Other traditional rulers that apppended their signatures to the letter are Mallam Ismaila Zakeri ,Alhaji Dr S.D. Abdul, Ohiribo of Karara/Igotto, Marafa of Oworo, Comrade Umar Shaibu Adoga , Chief Aiyedogbon Berida ,
ODA National President, Eleson of Oworo, Chief Kasim A. Mahmud and Dr. Femi Obaje ,Balugema of Oworo , Elder Stateman and Comrade Amari S. Christopher, President, Oworo Youth Vanguard.
The full text of the letter addressed to Governor Yahaya Bello by Oworo People of Lokoja Local Government :
“THE PARAMOUNT TRADITIONAL RULER, THE OLU OF OWOROLAND, OWORO DISTRICT,LOKOJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KOGI STATE
Mall. Mohammed Adoga Baiyerohi
(AGBOSI II ) His Excellency,
Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello,
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Government House,
Lokoja.
DANGOTE CEMENT COMPANY FACE-OFF WITH THE KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT: THE POSITION OF THE OWORO PEOPLE IN LOKOJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
The Oworo people under HRH Mallam Mohammed Adoga Baiyerohi (Agbosi II) in Lokoja Local Government Area wishes to express her unflinching and unalloyed support to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello “Our people’s Governor” for standing firmly to defend the State and most especially the entire host communities in the exploitation/marginalization posture of Dangote Cement Project in Kogi State.
2. We want to state unequivocally that, the management of Dangote Cement Company has with disdain marginalized the primary host communities and by extension, the entire Oworo communities in the discharge of their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to them.
3. Oworo District in Lokoja Local Government Area is the host where marble deposit (Raw material) and production plants of Dangote Cement are domiciled. The district comprises of over thirty (30) existing communities which are de-alienated into West, East and Central geographical zones.
4.The Paramount Traditional Ruler, HRH Late Alhaji Abubakar Alugbere, the then Olu of Oworo in council granted community consent to Obajana Cement Company for the acquisition of mining license over marble deposit under his domain at the instance of His Excellency, Late Alhaji Abubakar Audu, the then Executive Governor of Kogi State.
5.The consent granted by HRH, Late Abubakar A. Alugbere, the then Olu of Oworo in council at that time covered portions of marble areas in Jakura and other settlement.
6 Prior to the issuance of this consent by the Paramount Traditional Ruler, there was an existing consent granted by HRH, Late Daniel D. Musa, the Olu of Oworo in 1963/1964 to Nigeria Marble Company which was later changed to Jakura Marble Company Limited on the account of Nigeria indigenization policy. The company is still in operation in Lokoja near Inland Water Way Authority (Dockyard) till date. Suffice to say that the consent then became impactful to the entire Oworo people.
7.Undoubtedly sir, the establishment of Dangote Cement plant on Oworo land triggered sudden surge in the demographic status of the downstream operational location with attendant social vices.
8. The devastating economic injustice that came on the peaceful people of Oworoland cannot be overemphasized. The company has no significant level of impact on the mining communities (upstream) and the communities around the industrial plants (downstream). Aside this, a level of marginalization is clearly evident to other communities, not even for Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) anticipated for development.
9. The non-compliance with the provisions of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) document, shallow content of Community Development Agreement (CDA). Air pollution, very low empowerment provision, infrastructural deficit, low level of human capital development among other health hazard problems as a result of dust generation from mining and factory sites.
10. As indigenes of Oworo District, we under HRH Mallam Mohammed Adoga Baiyerohi (Agbosi II) affirm that, the government of Kogi State under the able leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello should be commended for taking a bold stand to demand for our birth right from the clutches of excruciating exploitation and marginalization currently exhibited by Dangote Cement Plant in Kogi State.
Finally, sir, we are persuaded that, your Excellency’s stand to defend the endowment of Kogi State from being exploited is rational, purposeful and logical. Therefore, the entire Oworo people affirm their confidence in your purposeful leadership styles and prayed that, may the Almighty Allah continue to protect you and your family members.
Respectfully Sir,
Signed ;
HRH Mallam Mohammed Adoga Baiyerohi (Agbosi II)
The Olu of Oworoland,
HRH Mallam Ismaila Zakeri Alhaji Dr S.D. Abdul
Ohiribo of Karara/Igoti Marafa of Oworo, Comrade Umar Shaibu Adoga, Chief Aiyedogbon Berida , ODA National President, Eleson of Oworo, Chief Kasim A. Mahmud ,Dr. Femi Obaje,
Balugema of Oworo Elder Stateman, Comrade Amari S. Christopher, President, Oworo Youth Vanguard. (vitalnewsngr.com)
