Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has warned of huge economic implications of the closure of the Dangote Cement factory in Obajana.
Reacting to the closure, Ide John C. Udeagbala, National President, NACCIMA
regrets the recent development by the Kogi State Government which has resulted in the hasty sealing of the Dangote Cement Factory at Obajana, Kogi State, comes with huge negative implications.
This action, allegedly stemming principally from tax disputes, he said could have surely been resolved on a more conciliatory and amicable note.
Udeagbala, cautioned that the action leading to the closure of a huge production plant that suplies key domestic inputs (cement) into the economy and employing hundreds of thousands of Nigerians directly and indirectly is of huge concern.
This is aside from its substantial budget for corporate social responsibility outside of taxes.
He said, “Shutting off the factory does not necessarily help the controversial issue of compliance on taxes remittable to the Kogi State Government. Rather, a continual operation of the plant would more likely facilitate a faster resolution of the dispute.
“We thus suggest that the company be reopened as quickly as possible to enable it continue its operation and fulfil its necessary responsibilities, not just on tax but also keep the hundreds of thousands of Nigerians in its direct and indirect employment dutifully engaged and, furthermore, sustain its crucial services, not just to the people & government of Kogi State but Nigeria in general.”