Ogun state residents set to picket Dangote Company over community neglect

The women in Ibese community of Ogun State and youths in the area are now warming up for a protest at Dango Cement PLC,Ibese over the company’s alleged non-payment of land compensation to those whose lands were acquired by the company.

Penpushing reports that the planned protest is also to make the cement company to be alive to its allegedly abandoned corporate social responsibilities in the area,while it is recalled that the women of the community had in November 2020 taken to the streets of the town, accusing the company’s management of gross insensitivity to their yearnings.

The aggrieved residents lamented that more than 12 years after Dangote PLC has commenced operations on their land, making fortunes at the detriment of the land owners, the management had failed to redeem its pledge.

Penpushing further reports that, the Head, External Relations, who doubles as the liaison officer between the company and the community, Pastor Joseph Alabi and the company’s acting chief security officer, Mr David, a retired soldier, were almost beaten to stupor by the protesting indigenes of the  community.

The protesters during the protest which shook the community to its foundation and also affected the movement of Dangote cement to its consumers nationwide,  accused the duo of thwarting moves by the owner of the company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to pay them their entitlement, which they said was long due for payment.

Penpushing also reports that,the protest came just as the counsel to Ibese community, Barrister Olajide Olawepo instituted a suit against Dangote Cement PLC, debunking a recent claim by the company that the company had so far expended over N4.2b on infrastructural development in its host communities in Yewa axis of the state.

The lawyer, in a petition he wrote on behalf of the Regent of Ibese, Chief Tajudeen Adewuyi carpeted the company’s Head of Eternal Relations, Pastor Joseph Alabi, accusing him of conspiring with some unknown persons, whom he presented to Dangote Cement as those entitled to some payments on crop enumeration, living out those whose lands were actually acquired.

Penpushing reports that, sources  said the women and youths of Ibese have decided to picket Dangote Cement anytime from now, following its failure to fulfill a pledge of early payment made by the Company’s Non-Executive Director, Mr Devakumar Edwin, in December last year, while addressing the Regent of the town and leaders of the protesting group.

The planned protest, according to findings, is currently sending jitters down the spines of staffers of the multi-billion naira company, who feared they could be attacked by irate mob during the protest.

Penpushing further reports that, one of the leaders of the protest, Mrs Abidemi Oladitan confirmed the planned protest to journalist on phone in Abeokuta, stressing that enough is enough over the pranks of the management.

“We are living no stone unturned in our avowed decision to take our destiny in our hands. Enough is enough. We have to free ourselves from the shackles of oppression by the highly insensitive management staff of Dangote Cement PLC,” she declared.

Penpushing also reports that, the woman said, the community has suffered total neglect as there was nothing to show for the existence of Dangote Cement on their land, adding that “the future will be more gloomy for them if they do not stage this planned protest.”

Meanwhile, as at the time of this report,the Director, Corporate Communications Department, Dangote Industries, Mr Francis Awowole-Browne and Pastor Alabi could not be reached for comment.

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