By Francis Ekeh

Kogi State House of Assembly on Tuesday ordered the state government to shut down the Dangote Cement factory located in Obajana, Kogi state over unresolved issues of ownership and other matters

The Assembly said it took the action in order to ascertain the true owner of the factory and that the order would remain in force until all relevant documents that transferred sole ownership to Aliko Dangote are presented to it.

The State House of Assembly also said it would want to know the considerations given to the state during the signing of an agreement between the company and the state.

These considerations included the ten percent shares of Kogi State in the company, the social responsibilities of the company to the state and other benefits.

This was part of the resolutions of the House after the consideration of the ad-hoc committee’s interim report submitted by Hon Isah Tenimu.

The House also directed the Commissioner of Police and the State Commandant of Civil Defence Corps as well as Head of Vigilante Group in the state to ensure that the resolution was enforced

The External Solicitor of Dangote Cement Company, Mr Leeman Salihu had submitted some documents which are Certificate of Incorporation and that of an agreement signed in 2002 and 2003 but craved the indulgence of the House to allow further talk on the issue to be out of public glare.

He pleaded that the House should allow the company engage in further conversation with it and the state economic team which was declined.

The House insisted that Kogi State Cement company could not have been transferred to Obajana Cement Company and then Dangote Cement Company 100 percent without any considerations.