By Merit Ibe
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has remarked that the recent attack on the Dangote Cement Plant in Obajana, Kogi State, on Wednesday was a reflection of the poor handling of investment protection issues in the country.
President of the chamber, Chinyere Almona, in a statement noted that there were more decent ways to handle regulatory and legislative matters concerning businesses in Nigeria than resorting to violence.
She noted that the invasion of the factory by youths that led to the shooting of factory workers was unfortunate, ill-construed and avoidable, advocating a win-win situation for businesses and the government.
” We will therefore call on all parties to exercise caution and be protective of jobs, assets of production, and government revenues from corporate organizations like Dangote Cement Factory.”
The LCCI boss explained that the Federal and Kogi State Governments have hitherto benefited from business revenues and social investments and it is therefore expected that the government would be interested in creating an enabling business environment that can attract both local and foreign investors.
And where there are infractions, Almona pointed out that handling such should be in accordance with best practices and the rule of law that protects investors’ rights and human lives.
The chamber therefore recommended a meeting of all government agencies connected with the acquisition of the cement plant to resolve any differences thereof.
“This process can be taken without necessarily shutting down the factory and endangering jobs, products, and government revenues. This point is critical as wrong handling or unprofessional approaches to resolutions can send negative signals to potential foreign investors.
“The growing mining industry in Kogi State has benefitted from the production activities of the Dangote Cement Factory, which offers both infrastructural and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects to enhance the standard of living in the State.
“We see a role for the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the Nigeria Investment Protection Commission (NIPC), and the Kogi State Government in resolving this issue.
“We, therefore, expect to see a swift intervention by these agencies toward a win-win resolution.
“LCCI sympathises with the families of injured and affected persons.”