Amanze Chinonye
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote said on Tuesday that a legal challenge over land earmarked for his proposed oil refinery in Kenya would not derail the project, describing such disputes as a normal part of doing business in Africa, Prime Business Africa reports.
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Speaking to Kenyan and East African institutional investors in Nairobi, Dangote said he had seen reports about a Kenyan court order affecting construction of the refinery but remained confident the dispute could be resolved.
“Yesterday, as I was landing here at night, I saw an article by Bloomberg that the court has given orders that we should not do any construction,” Dangote said.
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Dangote cited a previous dispute involving one of his factories in Senegal, where operations were halted before his company sought intervention from the Supreme Court. He described the Kenyan matter as relatively minor and said it would not diminish his group’s interest in investing in Kenya.
His comments came a day after Kenya’s Malindi Environment and Land Court ordered parties to maintain the status quo on land designated for the refinery until Oct. 14, when the underlying application is scheduled to be heard. The case was brought by 133 residents challenging aspects of the land acquisition.
Dangote said the dispute would not alter his plans for the project, which is expected to have a capacity of up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and form part of a broader investment in Kenya’s energy and logistics sector.
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Nairobi Woman Representative and Parliament Member Esther Passaris welcomed the proposed investment while stressing the need for affected landowners to receive adequate compensation.
“We welcome investments like the Dangote oil refinery in the country. Everyone whose land will be taken there will be adequate compensation,” Passaris said.
The proposed refinery is linked to Kenya’s plans to develop Lamu as a regional energy and transport hub. Preparations for the project have continued ahead of a planned groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, which President William Ruto is expected to attend.
The court case remains pending, but Dangote’s remarks signal that his group intends to pursue the investment while the legal process continues.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
