Mangal Industries Limited has expressed readiness to make necessary payments to take over a mining site in Kogi State, and also relocate no fewer than 52 households with full compensation.
The company, ebirareporters.com recalls, began construction of a 3-million metric tonne per year cement plant three months ago in Iluagba part of the state.
The cement plant and a 50megawatts power plant billed to be completed by the first quarter of 2024, was part of the US$600million deal agreement between Mangal Industries and its partner, Sinoma International Engineering of China.
Addressing the state House of Assembly’s Adhoc Committee’s public hearing on activities of companies doing business in the state, the company’s spokesperson, Mallam Mohammed Bello, disclosed a plan in place for the relocation, but that what was left was the area to relocate the affected households.
“Once they show us the place they want to be relocated, we shall kick start the process by paying compensation, clearing up the place and constructing two-bedroom and three-bedroom flats for them.
“As regards our business, we are ready to pay for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and other charges for us to start business in Kogi on a clean slate.
“In fact, since 2021 we were ready to pay the ground rent and the C of O but for our request for a discount.
“But all the same, if that’s not forthcoming, we shall proceed to pay those charges given to us.
“We wish to state here too that we are open to the government having equity share in our company, ” he said.
The spokesperson said he tendered all the documents the house requested as regards the company’s interest in Kogi.
Mangal Cement , owned by Dahiru Barau Mangal, when completed and in production, would be the second cement plant operating from Kogi State, competing with Dangote Cement recently found in the troubled waters of the state government over equity distribution.
Speaker of the House, Mr Matthew Kolawale, told the company that the ad-hoc committee would study the documents, and that Kogi would not mind a stake in the company.
“We wish to advise that in commencing your business in Kogi, you should do all that is needed so that you won’t be called back.
“Since you just furnished us with the relevant documents we asked for, we will give you another date to come back here for the hearing.
“As a government, we wouldn’t mind investing in your company, but first make a proposal to us and we will definitely consider it and take it without any hesitation if it is good,” the speaker assured.
