The Commissioner stated this in an exclusive interview with our reporter in Lokoja against the backdrop of the development.
Engr Bashir said the action of the KGIRS was commendable because the Company is treating the state as an inconsequential entity, refusing to give it its legally defined dues and taking the government for granted.
He pointed that the action of the company may not be unconnected with the fact that Dangote enjoys the benefits of being the only company enjoying utilisation of the vast limestone deposits, noting that the monopoly has to be broken by allowing other investors compete in cement production within the Obajana site.
He said it was only when competition exists that investors in any sector of an economy could be alive to their responsibilities to government, especially the host government in whose territory the resources for production were being utilised.
In his words; “The state is endowed with large deposits of limestone which is the major raw material for cement production. And it is this important resource that the company is using to make its cement adjudged to be one of the best in the world. As a state, we should be accorded better deal by Dangote in that regard.
“The action of the Acting Chairman of KGIRS and its team is applaudable. It has shown they have courage and are ready to do all that is necessary to ensure anyone that is supposed to remit any form of taxes, does that no matter how big or highly placed.
“Thank God that in Kogi State, we have an energeric and youngest Governor in the country, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who is not ready to leave any stone untouched in enhancing rapid economic growth of the state.
“For example, Dangote as a company is not up to date in milling and mining charges and other collectibles since 2013. This is not right at all. Nobody should be above the law as to want to be doing business without recourse to the host state and community within which it does business. We can’t let that happen,” he concluded.
