Business News of Tuesday, 27 December 2022

Source: www.punchng.com

Group demands review of Dangote coal project

A non-political, socio-cultural organisation, Yewa Defender, has demanded the public disclosure of the review of the environmental impact of a proposed coal milling project by Dangote Cement in Yewa communities of Ogun State.

The group’s Secretary, Olajide Amusan, in a statement signed on Sunday, said the project had been earlier reported to the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja to notify them of its possible effects on the lives and welfare of the people of Yewaland and Ogun State in general.

The statement read partly, “The proposed coal milling project is the conversion of coal to source for energy to power heavy equipment at Dangote Cement Plant, Ibese. This surely must have some serious health implications for the people living in Dangote Cement host communities.

“In view of the foregoing, therefore, and bearing in mind the extant consequences of the current impasse on the corporate integrity of our organisation, lives, and welfare of our people, and most importantly, the fact that Yewa sons and daughters, including the paramount ruler of Yewaland and stakeholders, are expecting an urgent resolution of all issues.

“We hereby, by this press statement put the management of Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese on notice that if within 15 days from today, the company fails to carry out the public display/review of the EIA report on the proposed coal milling project as agreed, Yewa Defender Organisation, at first instance, will have to bring the matter to public attention by holding the ‘suspended’ world press conference/seminar.

“We believe that at the conference/seminar, all issues relating to the EIA report, particularly, the panel review of the report, considered consequential to further deliberations, will see the light of day.”

The organisation lamented that in spite of several meetings held to display the EIA, the management of Dangote Cement has commenced work on the coal milling project.

“It is therefore regrettable to note that in spite of several meetings held (physically and virtually) between August 2022 and today, the management of Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese has not, despite several assurances, taken any proactive steps at ensuring the fulfillment of promises made in conveying a fresh display/review of EIA report.

“To our chagrin, the management of Dangote Cement Plc has been found to work and walk at its own pace tantamount to outright delay tactics and a deliberate repudiation of promises made,” the statement added.