Four years after, Dangote yet to pay compensation to Ibese community- traditional ruler

The traditional ruler of Ibese said Dangote cement is yet to pay compensation.

 

The Dangote Cement has not paid compensation to the community where it built one of its largest cement  plants in Africa, four years after commencing operations, the community members have said.

The cement factory is located in Ibese, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Traditional Ruler of the town, Bamgbose Olukoye said at a press conference in Abeokuta, that some indigenes of the town accused him of collecting the compensation on behalf of the community, and keeping it to himself.

Mr. Olukoye, 95, the oldest traditional ruler in Ogun State, was represented by Hezy Idowu, the Asiwaju of Ibeseland. He said the controversial N650 million was paid to the state government and not to the community as being speculated.

He said the faction within the community led by a Medical Doctor, Olufemi Ajayi, were a rebellious group whose mission is to pull down the community

“During the administration of ex-governor, Segun Osoba, the Dangote Group of Companies paid  N230million to government treasury, Not a kobo of that amount was paid to Ibese community,” he said.

‘Then came the administration of ex-governor Gbenga Daniel. It persuaded the Dangote Group to pay further compensation if the group really wanted to set up the cement industry.

“The Dangote Group complied. Paying, this time, a whooping sum which we were made to understand amounted to N650million,” he said.

The traditional ruler also denied the existence of an MOU between Ibese Community and Dangote cement.
“What is astonishing is that up till now, the association has never produced any copy of the so-called MOU allegedly signed by Oba Bamgbose to establish its claim. It cannot do so for the simple fact that no such documents exists,” Mr. Idowu said.