The federal government has waded into the raging dispute between the Kogi State Government (KGSG) and the
Also, while the
Kogi State government had last Wednesday sealed
However, an exclusive interview with THISDAY at the weekend, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr.
Adebayo said: "You are aware that we do not like situation like this because it makes a mockery of the ease of doing business programme of the federal government. I have no doubt that His Excellency, President
"The view of the
"I understand that there is an original agreement between the state government and the
The minister also said the manner the KGSG was addressing its relationship with the
He said: "You are aware Mr. President just returned from
"These foreign investors follow the news on events that are happening in
Adebayo cautioned that, "nobody will be interested in coming to invest in
However, Kogi State Governor, Mr.
Bello said the state government had tried for nearly six years to meet with
He said: "We received several petitions from the general public about this particular subject matter. This is about five to six years now. And all efforts to sit down with the proprietor of Dangote conglomerate failed.
"We set up committee to look into this matter and the report came and all efforts to make those very important people, let us put it that way in quotes, to realise the impending danger that the operation of Dangote in Kogi State is posing to himself, his investment, the people of Kogi State and
"And here we come to set up another technical committee to review that same particular report. This report was ready since September and I have gone through all. I have received a lot of accusations that I have interest; that every government that have come to this state have interest or have something to do in terms of shady deal with Dangote, especially as it concerns Obajana cement factory.
"So, ladies and gentlemen, I came into this office with my integrity and I will leave here with my integrity."
Bello said that in a bid to clear himself of every suspicion, he directed the petitioners against the
"Hence they went to the
In his reaction to the matter, the Director General of NECA, Mr.
Oyerinde stated that the
He said: If there are issues arising from ownership of the cement plant, the most responsible thing that should have been done is to explore conciliatory or legal options rather than the gangster option that was used.
"That action alone portends danger to our quest for foreign direct investment as a rational investor will be concerned about the security and legal system of any clime."
The NECA, therefore, "condemn absolutely the steps taken by the state government and hope that reason and sound judgment will prevail. We also urge that the perpetrators of the dastardly act should be prosecuted.
"The signs to investors are bad. The natural expectation is that every state government will make his state attractive to local and foreign investors. The action of the Kogi State Government will only send the wrong signal to investors."
Former NLC Vice President Calls for Ceasefire Between
In the meantime, Aremu at the weekend urged the Kogi State government and the
Aremu who is now the Director General,
The former labour leader made the remarks in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on the commemoration of Decent Work Day earmarked by the
The MINILS boss believed that the claim over 'decent work' was a ruse without work in existence for prospective employees.
Aremu, who urged the Kogi State government to encourage industrialisation in the state, called for amicable resolution of the misunderstanding that culminated in the closure of the cement factory.
He said, "You can't even talk of decent work without work first because it is only work that is in existence you can make decent.
"But let me quickly express my concern and worry because I just read that last Wednesday, the Vigilante group of Kogi State allegedly stormed
Aremu added, "
"Let me say that corporate organisations have the responsibility to pay their taxes but if you are found wanting for whatever reason, we should resort to legal and due process for the payment of those taxes and not to be using extrajudicial measures as reportedly used now in Kogi State to shut down business plant. I think it is important that we should do everything to encourage those who are creating jobs not to discourage them.
"So, I want to call for cessation of hostility between the Kogi State government and Dangote group. But unequivocally, the method being allegedly used is unacceptable. At a time we are re-industrialising, the best we can do is to encourage big industrialists like Dangote".
While expressing concern over the thousands of workers who are daily pushed into wage poverty globally, the MINILS Director General appealed to the government and employers of labour to increase employment opportunities for jobless youth.
Aremu applauded President
He said, "Interestingly, the theme for this year is wage justice. The idea of justice for wage earners is that workers should be well paid.
"There is a new statistics that has just come out that after Covid-19, the world has produced close to 573 new billionaires, yet millions of people have been pushed into poverty.
"As a matter of fact, about 700,000 workers are pushed into wage poverty almost everyday while the world is turning out billionaires. So, this theme is very apt that there should be justice for the workers.
"I want to call on the government and employers of labour to work towards increasing job opportunities for teeming youth who are looking for jobs.
"The way to do this is to encourage industrialisation, promote value addition. We have to stop importation of goods that we can produce locally. Every time we buy not made in
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