Aliko Dangote has said his business group is prepared to confront legal and other challenges to its proposed refinery project in Kenya, following a court order directing parties in a land dispute to maintain the status quo.
Dangote made the remarks while speaking at a high-level investment engagement on the Dangote Refinery initial public offering, against the backdrop of the legal dispute over the proposed facility in Lamu County.
“This is normal for us in Africa. In fact, this is small,” Dangote said, referring to the legal challenge.
“In Senegal they stopped our factory. We went to the Supreme Court… anyone who wants to cause trouble, we are ready.”
The businessman added: “We know who is doing all this. We will face them.”
The Malindi Environment and Land Court had ordered parties involved in the dispute over land identified as LR No. 13061 to maintain the status quo until October 14, when the case will come up for further hearing.
Justice Jane Onyango issued the order after farmers and residents of Chandavai challenged the proposed refinery, alleging that the project could lead to forced eviction and the destruction of their properties.
The petitioners, through their lawyer, George Wakahiu, also alleged that Dangote Group and Kenyan authorities had failed to meet environmental requirements for the project, including conducting an environmental impact assessment.
They further claimed that constitutional requirements for public participation had not been fulfilled.
Wakahiu said the order meant construction activities at the proposed refinery site should not begin before the October 14 hearing.
Dangote Group, however, said the court had not halted the planned groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery.
The company said activities at the project site could nevertheless be affected by the court directive requiring the parties to refrain from activities pending the hearing.
“The court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage. However, activities at the site may be affected by the ruling, as both parties are required not to carry out activities until the case is heard on 14th October,” the company said.
The legal dispute comes days after Kenyan President William Ruto said his administration was expediting administrative processes for the refinery.
Ruto made the remarks during a visit to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, ahead of the planned September 30 groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day facility in Lamu.
The Kenyan president said land for the project had been secured, adding that his government was working to address outstanding requirements and remove bureaucratic obstacles that could delay the project.
He said the refinery would have regional significance by stimulating industrial activity, creating jobs and improving technical skills across East Africa.
Dangote said the latest challenge was not unusual for his group, citing a similar dispute involving its cement plant in Senegal.
Construction of the Dangote Cement Pout plant was halted by an administrative order during a land dispute. The matter eventually reached Senegal’s Supreme Court, which ruled in 2013 that the claimants had no lawful interest in the disputed property. The closure order was subsequently lifted.
Dangote had earlier said the proposed refinery in Kenya would be larger than the Dangote refinery in Nigeria.
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