Dangote, BUA face – off: Edo PDP berates Obaseki over role
The Publicity Secretary of Edo State Peoples Democratic Party ,Chris Osa Nehikhare has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of showing open support to the Dangote Group at the expense of BUA in the ongoing face-off between the two groups.
It will be recalled that in 2008,the BUA Group acquired majority shareholding of Edo Cement Company after it was sold under the Federal Government’s Privatization policy, immediately started production and engaged the youths of the community and in 2015,the 3 million metric tonnes capacity Greenfield Obu Cement plant was completed and production started at the plant, where youths and indigenes were employed.
“You will agree that of the two companies in dispute here, only BUA has shown financial commitment, short and long term interest and investment in the economy of Edo State. He may not have been a political contributor to the APC government, but he has shown that Edo state means more than personal friendship. ”
“We have observed with great trepidation the unhealthy development between the business interests of Dangote and BUA in Okpella and wish to call for caution and register our disbelief in the role being played without guise by Governor Obaseki.
It is a well-known fact that Dangote is a very good friend of Governor Obaseki and Adams Oshiomhole. A relationship that is so close that even Adams Oshiomhole and Godwin Obaseki in the past abandoned the state to attend almost all past official activities of Dangote Group in and outside Nigeria to the extent that some people were beginning to ask if they had other interest in the Dangote Group other than being good friends. ”
Continuing, the PDP publicity secretary stated that: “We wish to strongly state here the conflict of business interests between Dangote and BUA should be handled with care. The Governor cannot justify the hasty declaration of the closure of BUA Company in Okpella because of his open support for his friend and benefactor, Alhaji Dangote.
We know that Adams Oshiohmole did it for Dangote before, regarding land and farm, but be advised that BUA is a different kettle of fish. Governor Obaseki should be mindful of the enormous financial implications and loss the closure will bring. He should be guided by his oath of office in the discharge of his official duties. ”
“BUA has been running its cement business in the Okpella axis of the state for some years now and they have employed many indigenes in the factory. There is no existing court order for the closure of the BUA factory but the Governor has ordered the closure of the BUA facility for obvious known selfish interest. Our position is that the Governor should allow both parties to legally resolve their differences in the court.”
By Titus Akhigbe,Benin
