Ogun Assembly Summons Dangote Cement Over Compliance With Standards.
The Ogun State House of Assembly has directed the management of Dangote Cement Company to present the master plan for its Ibese cement plant in Yewa North Local Government Area. The resolution, passed on Tuesday, requires the company to include details of associated facilities, such as a trailer park and industrial drainage channel, in accordance with international standards.
This decision followed the presentation of a report by the joint House Committees on Trade, Commerce and Investment, and Environment, chaired by Adebisi Oyedele. The report was prompted by concerns over environmental degradation, traffic issues, and the company’s alleged failure to adhere to best practices.
Oyedele, presenting the findings, stated, “The committee found the company culpable of the allegations levelled against it. The committee observed the lackadaisical approach and nonchalant attitude of the company to the livelihood of the people, having constructed a cement factory for decades without a trailer park and deliberately causing havoc on the host communities, as well as commuters plying the road, among others.”
The Assembly had previously requested a comprehensive plan from the company to address the negative impacts of its operations. The committee’s report stressed that Dangote Cement must submit the plant’s master plan, detailing all ancillary facilities, to demonstrate compliance with international best practices.
The House also called on the company to improve its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, urging it to be more responsive to the needs of affected communities. The resolution underscores the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring that companies operating within the state prioritise sustainable practices and the welfare of local residents.