Located in Obajana, Kogi State, 220 km southwest of Abuja and 25km from where the road to Kabba branches off the Abuja-Okene highway, the cement plant has a gas pipeline running from the gas manifold at Ajaokuta Steel (another project I hope to discuss some other time). The project which cost an estimated $1 billion (about N126 billion), was financed by both local and international financial institutions. It has a capacity of 4.4 million tons per annum (p.a).
Obajana Cement was designed and built by Dangote Industries Limited one of Nigeria's conglomerates. It was designed to use locally available limestone, which is the most important raw material for cement production, and natural gas from the Niger Delta, to produce cement at a production cost that is expected to be below the current importation cost.
Despite the fact that the limestone is locally-derived and although the Nigerian market is being flooded with cement from the plant, Obajana Cement Company seems to be performing poorly in terms of its corporate social responsibility. The company has not been fair to indigenes of the local area, apparently taking advantage of their somewhat docile attitude. The indigenes claim that the company employs them as junior staff only and that they are not allowed to associate as unions. Apparently the company's management also avoids relating directly with the local population as much as possible.
I cannot find the right words with which to describe the condition of the road between Obajana and Kabba. I had never experienced such turning and twisting as the driver tried to negotiate his way round giant potholes. They can compete with those deep holes found naturally in limestone country. I agree that 'potroads'... (sorry!) roads in the Nigeria are generally in a bad state, but when you hit this kind of road after the smooth stretch from Lokoja, you just wonder. Raw materials and finished products are conveyed by fleets of juggernauts in both directions. Now, before the cement company started production, the road was not very good. But there is no doubt at all that it is these juggernauts that have killed it. What have Okun people, who happen to be inhabitants of the region all the way to Kabba and beyond, done to deserve this. Whatever arguments led the company to fix the road from Obajana to the junction with the Abuja-Okene road can also be employed to fix it from Obajana to Kabba and beyond. It would be in the best interest of the company to give to the goose what it considers good for the gander. This is how they can maintain a good relationship with the Okun people. Like the company's junior staff, we all have our pains with our leaders, but when you have to think about them playing tic tac toe in those potholes it begins to look like the company is of no net economic benefit to the Okun people and Kogi State, to both the indigenes of Obanana and all Nigerians who ply that road.
Today, the 1st of November, members of the largest online community of Okun people, Okun Community on facebook, will be putting up certain pictures to protest the misuse and neglect of the Obajana -- Kabba road. This will be followed by other peaceful means of calling attention to the issue. Nigerian leaders, please look into the issue of this road and do something about it.
Ase ki inu gha dun be se ba gha gbe limestone gha e mu se sementi ko. Amo afe e ranti a hi'le gha ke gha; o han ye hi e ba gha tu se.
To the management of Obajana cement, please do not make the same mistakes the foreign companies have made in the Niger Delta. We are not exactly proud to have you exploit our mineral resources for us as a State and as a people but we hope you'll remember to give back to the people as if to say
"We can all make things work together to the mutual benefit of the company and the people".
Segun Ologe writes from Abuja.
He is a Multimedia and Advertising Consultant, a member of numerous Okun forums and initiator of the largest online Community of Okun People, Okun Community on Facebook ( http://tinyurl.com/6hr47ml )
He is also a film maker and he is passionate about Okunland and its people.
He can be reached on 08058908257
MUSIC BY: ELDEE 'THE DON'
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Dangote - Obajana Cement Plantby classicapertures1,083 views
Got our backing, this is serious issue. I thought Dangote will do something about this road after 5years of establishing Major Cement here but We are all wrong!!!!!!.
crescentgroup2000 4 months ago
Good work from you Segun....am proud of you....speak with you when i get to 9ja....we need to count the number of pot holes if possible and publish is as we prepare for election.
Walsh912 1 year ago