KEY POINTS

• Dangote Cement summoned by Ogun State Assembly over environmental concerns.
• The allegations are that there is no trailer park, environmental damage and standards not met.
• Mandatory master plan ordered to include plant facilities and infrastructure.

Dangote Cement Company has been summoned by the Ogun State House of Assembly to explain its operations at the Ibese cement plant in Yewa North Local Government Area.

It comes in response to accusations of poor stewardship of infrastructure like no trailer park and no industrial drainage systems, as well as environmental degradation.

The presentation by joint House Committees on Trade, Commerce and Investments and Environment led to the decision on Tuesday.

Dangote Cement could not meet environmental standards and that they did not ensure the welfare of surrounding communities, the committees found.

Environmental neglect, and operational deficiencies

Adebisi Oyedele, who is the chairman of the committees, said the company showed a “lackadaisical approach” to environmental and community issues.

Among the key issues raised were:
– Absence of a Trailer Park: The company’s dereliction in building an appropriate trailer park for trucks that deteriorated into congestion and safety hazards on the roads.
– Environmental Degradation: Claims of damage to the environment and residents by its operations.
– Noncompliance with Standards: The company’s failure to prepare a master plan for the plant and specifically failure to construct the industrial drainage channels, in line with international best practices.

The report also severely condemned the company for what appeared to be contempt for the welfare of the host communities and the surrounding areas.

Recommendations and demands

The Assembly recommended that Dangote Cement also present a detailed master plan of the Ibese plant including all associated facilities, in addition to development within the buffer zone to meet international environmental standards.

This includes:
– Trailer Park Facilities: Designated area for truck and other vehicle parking to keep the traffic away. – Industrial Drainage Channels:Reservoirs for solid management of wastewater and reducing environmental pollution.
– Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): This had made the council call upon higher measures in addressing the needs of the affected communities and also make sure that its operations are benefiting the local resident not the other way round.

Dangote Cement has been told to present plans underpinning compliance with international standards. If not, the state Assembly could take further actions.