Igbogila Town Not Part Of Dangote Cement Factory Host Communities, Says Aboro of Ibese
ABEOKUTA – The Aboro of Ibeseland, in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State, Oba Rotimi Mulero has disclosed that, its neighbouring community, Igbogila was never part of Dangote Cement Factory host communities.
Oba Mulero disclosed this on Tuesday in a letter signed by the Ekarun of Ibese and Secretary to Aboro of Ibese-in-Council, Chief Leke Ibikunle, a copy obtained by THE ENCOUNTER NEWS.
The monarch explained that, Igbogila town was erroneously included as one of the host communities of Dangote Cement Factory, in a Survey Plan captured in a letter dated 26th July, 2024, jointly prepared by the lbese, ljako and lgbogila communities titled, “Harmonized Demands from Ibese, ljako and lgbogila Communities”, as recommended by the Ogun State Meditation Centre.
Oba Mulero said, whereas, Igbogila has never been a member of Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese’s host communities.
He emphasized that upon discovering this significant error and misrepresentation, the Ibese-in-Council took immediate action through the Ibese Community Development Association’s Solicitors, Generation Solicitors, who has formally retracted the said Letter and the Survey Plan via a Letter dated 15th August, 2024 addressed to Dangote Cement Plc and other communities.
He stressed further that, in a bid to seek alternative resolution to the long-standing legal battle of over twelve years between a certain group called Ibese Community Development Association and Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese on the obligations of Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese to the Community under the Minerals and Mining Act, the matter was referred by the Honourable Court to the Ogun State Multi-Door Court Centre, where it was suggested that a joint settlement proposal should be presented by all aggrieved communities who have similar claims in the court to Dangote Cement Plant, Ibese.
According to the monarch, the letter under reference, erroneously stated that the total size of Ibese Community land occupied by Dangote Cement Factory was 2,863.931 hectares.
He noted that, a more accurate survey and investigation revealed that the total size of Ibeseland earmarked by Ogun State Government for industrial purposes and mining was 12,612.621 hectares, while the area currently occupied by Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese is 3,362.032 hectares.
He said, “In response to the recent publication on National Reports titled “Ibese Youths Write Dangote Cement Over Land Tussle with Neighboring Communities” His Royal Majesty, Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero, the Aboro of Ibese and the Aboro of Ibese-in-Council, wish to clarify the lbese community’s position regarding the ongoing land dispute involving Ibese and lgbogila Communities on the one hand and the settlement process between Ibese Community and Dangote Cement Factory on the other hand.
“The concerns raised by the youth of Ibese Community about the land tussle are understandable, however, it is crucial to provide accurate information on the community’s official position and actions in this matter.
In a bid to seek alternative resolution to the long-standing legal battle of over Twelve (12) years between a certain group called Ibese Community Development Association and Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese on the obligations of Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese to the Community under the Minerals and Mining Act, the matter was referred by the Honourable Court to the Ogun State Multi-Door Court Centre, where it was suggested that a joint settlement proposal should be presented by all aggrieved communities who have similar claims in the court to Dangote Cement Plant, Ibese.
“The current concern stems from a significant error in the Survey Plan captured in a Letter dated 26th July, 2024, jointly prepared by the lbese, ljako and lgbogila communities titled “Harmonised Demands from Ibese, ljako and lgbogila Communities”, as recommended by the Ogun State Meditation Centre. The Letter under reference: (a)erroneously stated that the total size of Ibese Community land occupied by Dangote Cement Factory was 2,863.931 hectares. However, a more accurate survey and investigation revealed that the total size of Ibeseland earmarked by Ogun State Government for industrial purposes and mining is 12,612.621 hectares, while the area currently occupied by Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese is 3,362.032 hectares.
“Mispresented Igbogila town as one of the host communities of Dangote Cement Factory, when Igbogila has never been a member of Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese’s host community. Upon discovering this significant error and misrepresentation, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero (Olokojobi III), Aboro of Ibeseland, the Aboro of Ibese-in-Council and the Ibese Central Youth Association have taken immediate action through the Ibese Community Development Association’s Solicitors i.e. Generation Solicitors, who has formally retracted the said Letter and the Survey Plan via a Letter dated 15th August, 2024 addressed to Dangote Cement Plc and other communities.
“Therefore, the entire lbese Community has since dissociated itself from the erroneous Letter and Survey, declaring them as null and void. As such, any settlements, compensations, or obligations predicated on the Letter dated 26th July, 2024, jointly prepared by Ibese, ljako and Igbogila communities is invalid and should be disregarded by all concerned parties, including Dangote Cement Plc.
“The Ibese Community remains committed to resolving the issue amicably with Dangote Cement Factory and is open to resuming discussions only if future agreements and discussions are based on accurate and reliable data, reflecting the true interests of the lbese Community.”
