Revenue Probe: Dangote Fails to Appear Before Kogi Assembly, Re-Summoned

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The management of Dangote Cement limited, on Saturday, failed to appear before the special committee of the Kogi State House of Assembly probing business activities of some companies in the state.

The company, also, failed to give reasons for its absence after being duly served summons by the House.

The adhoc committee headed by Hon. Tenimu Umar (Lokoja I/APC), said Dangote Cement and other allied companies under probe were invited to appear at the public hearing to clear grey areas in revenue remittance to the state coffers.

Tenimu confirmed that Dangote Cement was duly served House summons to appear before it on Saturday.

Speaking at the public hearing in the hallowed chambers on Saturday, the Speaker, Hon. Kolawole Matthew directed the committee to re-summon Dangote Cement to appear the House on Thursday, September 22.

The Speaker noted that the invitation to Dangote Cement Company and other companies operating in  the state became necessary to demand the state’s fair share from the firms.

He added that despite the huge amount of resources being taken away from the soil of the state, what the companies pay to the government coffer as revenue is nothing to write home about.

He clarified that the public hearing is not to witch hunt the companies, but to simply demand for the rights of the state to a fair share of resources taken out of her soil.

He decried the manner in which Obajana Cement which was wholly owned by the state was taken over by Dangote Cement Limited, adding that the public hearing is meant to unearth the secret behind the acquisition.

Kolawole explained that the House is not unmindful of what transpired in the past, saying they are  making reference to it to avoid a repeat in the future.

”We are currently investigating sources of our internally generated revenue (IGR) and we believe it is expedient for the House to interface with some companies operating in the state.

”For example, Dangote Cement Limited started as Obajana Cement Company. Kogi State House of Assembly is interested and curious to know what happened at a point that the company transformed to Dangote Cement Limited.

”We want to know the state government’s benefits in the company. What is the equity share of the state in the company.

”We are beaming our searchlights on all companies in the state as we not particular about Dangote. We have Mangal Limited, we have some that are into mining of coal, limestone, gold, even as different kinds of solid minerals are being mined out of Kogi on daily basis.

”For instance, over 100 trailers haul coals out of Kogi East on a daily basis. We want to know if they paying their dues. We are interested in doing business with companies that will give us our fair share of the quantum of resources taken out of our soil.

”We are not against any organisation, but let the right things be done at the right time. We enjoin them to give to us what belongs to us and that is why we are here.

”We are confident that when the report would be written a lot of discovery will be made. We invited Dangote and they are not here. I have directed the committee to invite Dangote for Thursday and ensure that they acknowledge receipt of the correspondence,” he said.


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