The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has condemned the attack on Dangote Cement Plant at Obajana, Kogi State.
The association stated that such action would discourage new investments in the state.
The President of MAN, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, said the action of the Kogi State government is of great concern to investors.
The association stated further that it is unimaginable for a state government to take such drastic action to shut down a plant that provides job opportunities and enhances economic activities on a large scale for the people of the state.
Ahmed said, “The action appears to be taken by the government and it is alleged to be an effort for some alleged claim on some alleged payment of taxes that have not been made or recovered from the company.”
Ahmed described the move as totally illegitimate, pointing out that if the state government had any axe to grind with any member of its association or corporate citizen, the appropriate thing was to take the member to court for redress.
“You cannot use strong-arm tactics to shut them down or impose very severe restrictions on their operations simply to force them.
“This is illegal and I believe that what has happened will not happen in a normal operating environment,” he stated.
MAN boss, however, said the association had taken up the matter with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
He said, “We have no reason not to pay taxes to the Kogi State government as and when due and I am aware that Dangote Industry is one of the highest tax-payers in Nigeria.
“But, if indeed for whatever reason that there is a tax for the Kogi State government on Dangote, it has measures and ways of recovery and there is no justification to threaten the closure of that industry.
“We hope that the relevant authorities at both the federal and state levels would intervene to ensure that this kind of action is not repeated.”
