Aggrieved youths in Kabba area of Kogi State on Tuesday, staged a protest, following the ongoing rift between the state Government and Dangote Group over ownership of the Dangote Cement in Obajana
Kabba is one of the host communities of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana plant.
As early as 8am, the youth converged on the junction opposite the Federal Road Safety Corps office bearing placards with different inscriptions, demanding a fair deal and hearing from the Dangote industry.
The spokesman of the protesting youths, Abubarkar Ahmed, said the protest was to show their grievance against the treatment being meted out to the community.
“Look at our roads. We have a lot of graduates roaming the street without jobs whereas Dangote Cement is employing thousands from outside the state.
“It may shock you that there is no single hospital in this community. No water, no single school. We are deprived of several amenities and we are saying enough of this exploitation from Dangote. If they are not ready to listen to us, let them return Obajana Cement to us,” he said.
Ahmed appealed to Governor Yahaya Bello to retrieve the company for the state so that the citizens of the state can enjoy the benefits that rightly belong to them.
Also speaking, a student leader, Comrade Bello Abdulrazak, said their grievance was that since Obajana was changed to Dangote Cement, their people had been suffering.
“Dangote trailers have destroyed our roads without repairs. They have been killing our students without any compensation; no scholarships for students.
“We are appealing to the state government to fight for our interest so that we can get what rightfully belongs to us as host communities and as a state,” Abdulrazak said.
