Benue: Group Urges Lawmakers Not to Allow Cement Shares Takeover

The Benue State House of Assembly has been urged to prevail upon Governor Hyceint Alia not to take over the shares of Benue State held in Dangote Cement.

This call comes as lawmakers have also been urged to swiftly investigate government officials regarding the sale of Benue shares in commercial banks and other companies interested in Benue.

A statement issued on Monday evening, signed by Felix Atetan and Peter Ameh, as president and secretary, respectively, on behalf of the Benue Good Governance Crusaders, alleged that the Governor had made arrangements to sell off the only viable state-owned transport company, Benue Links Limited, to an owner of a transport company based in Lagos.

The statement reads: “As a group dedicated to defending democracy and promoting transparency, we must raise the alarm whenever we observe wrongdoing in the system.

“Today, we wish to draw the attention of all well-meaning people of Benue State and other Nigerians to the economic activities concerning Benue.

“The latest move by the Governor is to dislodge Alhaji Aliko Dangote from the ownership of the former Benue Cement Company, now Dangote Cement, and take it over.

“Last year, Governor Alia, through BIPC, sold the state’s shares in Zenith Bank and other enterprises worth N12 billion.

“Today, Governor Alia announced at a press conference in Makurdi, through Asemakaha, that his government has commenced moves to reclaim its holdings and associated entitlements in Dangote Cement Company, following the Rights Issue of 2005.

“The BIPC Managing Director stated that the state government is demanding the allotment of 111,438,493 units of shares valued at N65.8 billion.

“In February 2024, Governor Alia sold the Benue Printing and Publishing Company (BPPC).

“Already, Governor Alia is in advanced discussions with a Lagos-based transport company owner who wishes to purchase Benue Links Transport Company.

“We strongly reject the move to take over Dangote Cement. We equally condemn the sale of Benue industries and demand an immediate cessation of such sales,” the group stated.