Youths in Kogi State have protested Dangote’s operations at the largest cement factory in Africa, the Obajana Cement Factory.
The protest took place at the early hours of Tuesday with the young people comprising young men and women.
The protesters carried placards of different inscriptions while chanting solidarity songs.
some of the placards read; “Return our Cement Factory, We Stand with GYB, We Are Tired of Dangote Group,” among others.
Heads of Obajana, Kabba Junction/Zariagi youths lead the protest.
The Chairman of Kabba Junction/ Zaruagi youths, Abubakar Ahmed who spoke to the press on behalf of his colleagues, said their grievances with Dangote stemmed from the fact that the company has reneged on the Corporate Social Responsibility agreement reached with them.
Rather than repair and improving them, the spokesman said Trucks being used by the company to convey Cement and coal to and from the company has destroyed lives and infrastructure of the community.
In his words, “You need to go to Obajana main community, Kabba Junction here which is the gateway between the company and the North, Zariagi and even the state capital, Lokoja, to fully appreciate the level of damage caused by Dangote.
“His drivers have killed countless people while conveying goods, cause dilapidation on our roads and created harmful situation through the dust being raised during production and conveyance of goods on our communities.
“Despite all these, there is not a single infrastructure; be it health facility, school or anything to improve the lives of our people.”
The spokesman said the youths support the state government, noting that their hope is for the right thing to be done to ensure what is due the state from Dangote gets to it.
Other speakers, who also complained about their inability to afford the cement which is being made in their community said it was inconceivable for them not to be able to afford what is being made in their immediate
