From Moses Mbaiorga, Gboko
Chairman, Gboko Local Government Council, Chief Isaac Mtom, has banned Dangote cement, Gboko plant from transporting limestone to other places after mining.
The ban came following the confirmation by the Gboko Local Government Council chairman, that Dangote cement Gboko plant is no longer producing cement at the factory, rather the limestone mined at the plant is taken to places aside Gboko for production.
According to the Press Release by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Gboko Local Government chairman, Comrade Bright Antyo made available to The Voice said, Chief Mtom got a distress call from the host community over the disturbing practice by the management of Dangote cement Gboko plant and immediately swung into action, only to discover it was true.
Chief Mtom further expressed dissatisfaction over the development and the ever increasing cost of cement especially in the local government where it is produced.
He called on the relevant authorities to do the needful that would make cement price much affordable within a short while or face stiffer penalty.
In his response, the plant Director, Dangote cement Gboko, Mr Louis Raj thanked the chairman for the visit on the company and promised to comply with the ban. He however, denied responsibility for high cost of cement in Gboko and Benue state at large.
“The attention of the Executive Chairman Gboko LG Chief Isaac Mtom was drawn to mining and exportation of limestone at the Dangote cement plant.
“He noted that limestone was being mined at the Gboko plant and transported to other States while production was not going on at the Gboko plant.
“The chairman frowned at the act and stopped the already loaded trucks from moving out of the plant. Furthermore, he inquired from them why the high cost of cement in Gboko which is the host Community.
“The chairman gave directives that within three weeks, all those involved in cement price regulation should do a review of the price.
“He commended the Youths of the host Community under the leadership of Emmanuel Jov for maintaining their integrity and calling his attention to the mining activities in the company and urged them to maintain the tempo”.