In the last few years of Dangote group blossom of businesses and conglomerates,Kogi state is worst hit by series of negative activities of the company,ranging from frequent accident of it’s vehicles and killings ,land and environmental degradation,and all other sorts of hazards.

When the idea of Dangote Group was muted in Kogi, to first of all establish a cement factory in 2002, little did we know in Kogi state,that we will be at the receiving end of only the negative effects of the conglomerates,but also virtually all the hazards will also be visited on our communities and it’s people.

In the last 18 years close to two decades,the quantum of damages done by Dangote Group in Kogi state,will take another world to recoup,from human and material destructions and all forms of untoward actions.

This action is far away from the expectations of the our political players and good leadership disposition displayed by our highly foresighted gladiators.

The aims of attracting such gigantic investment hub was not only geared towards attracting revenue to the state,but to attract all round positive potentials that accompanied such laudable initiatives.

But today,the reverse is the case in all ramifications degenerating into complete bastardisation and extermination of a race hitherto surviving under it’s indigenous exploits.

From all parts of the state, which comprised of West,Central and the worst hit is the Eastern senatorial district, that had witnessed mass land degradation,infertile land for predominantly agriculture activities and farming, destruction of farm lands,to worsen roads condition, as well polluted streams water available to the people at the expense of a robust Corporate social responsibility programs, gainful employment opportunities to other require templates.

It was no longer news on daily basis that roads criss crossing Kogi state had been rendered death traps by long vehicles belonging to the company,without positive decision from Dangote Group to compensate both family and businesses of those involved or the victims.

Dangote group did not stop at the level of investment in cement products in Kogi with one of the giant plants ,but divested into extraction of our God’s given mineral resources and concentrated coal to the detriment of our people.

Many years after the commencement of the extraction in synergy with the Federal government,no visible Corporate social responsibility programs was executed including the provision of schools, hospitals,roads,water,and other outlets of engagement to mitigate the effects of their operation.

Worst hit is the activities of it’s company,both in divestment and other areas,as many employment opportunities meant for indigenes were being diverted into compensating non indigenes and expatriates.

The most worrisome situation is the mass killings of people from the area, who are positioned as bread winners and family treasure of many homes by the inexperienced long truck drivers and other automobiles with reckless abandonment by the company without serious positive reaction from Dangote Group and the state government,the custodian and business partner of the company.

This ugly development is prevalent on daily basis across the state,with the company and it’s handlers threatening court actions and intimidating legal fireworks with families of victims involved across the state.

The situation in Kogi east had become unbearable,as many of the long vehicles belonging to Dangote Group flood the area either on transit with cement products or already extracted coal from the communities.

Between December last year and March this year,over 30 people were killed by Dangote vehicles out of recklessness of the drivers,as the recent and most touching was the death of about ten youths on a wedding program at Opulega area of Ankpa, and the killing of a doctorate degree student of the University of Ibadan along Ankpa/Anyigba road.

This situation is not our bargain and the best of time for the people of Kogi state, and particularly Kogi east,as the current reckless situation of most of the drivers plying the roads had taken a high level intolerable dimension.

The expectations of the people of Kogi state is expected to be the current adventure of provision of a world standard hospital as it is obtainable in Kano State,provision of massive employment opportunities to the people,an equipped schools and laboratory equipments,pipe borne and portable water,good roads and other social services in appreciation or response to the return on investment of close to two decades, that had witnessed expansion to other countries.

It is also high time for Kogi state government to drop the idea of only interested in generating bogus monthly revenue from the conglomerates,but also scrutinise the activities of the company to the advantage of it’s citizens.

Kogi state and particularly Kogi east people are peace loving people that will not concede any illegality,but a plea for a well articulated programs and attention that will improve the living standards of the people in line with the rules.

There is also the urgent need to set up a road safety and caution team of the company on Kogi roads and across the. country,to reduce to the barest minimum,the incidence and killing across Nigeria roads.

This positive development by the Group will return sanity and close monitoring of it’s activities on Nigerian roads.

Abubakar Yusuf Writes From Abuja

  Dangote Group, Kogi State