Ibese hosts Dangote’s second-largest cement plant in the country, which was commissioned in 2012.

In a statement signed by Oba Mulero and made available to journalists by Leke Ibikunle, the Ekarun of Ibeseland and Secretary to the Aboro of Ibese-in-Council, explained that the community had previously taken the matter to the Ogun State Multi-Door Court Centre.

Oba Mulero expressed the community’s commitment to resolving the issue amicably with the factory.

The plant, with a capacity of over 12.0 million tonnes per annum, serves the South-West market and exports cement to nearby West African countries.

The land dispute between the host communities and Dangote has been ongoing for several years.

He emphasized that discussions will resume once all agreements are based on accurate and reliable data, reflecting the true interests of the community.

The court recommended that a joint settlement proposal be presented by all aggrieved communities with similar claims against the cement factory.

Oba Mulero underscored that the resolution particularly concerns the factory’s obligations to its host community, in line with the Minerals and Mining Act.

The monarch also clarified the extent of the land on which the factory is situated, the total land allocated by the state government for the factory, and the communities that can legitimately claim to be hosts of the cement plant.

“The current concern stems from a significant error in the Survey Plan referenced in a letter dated 26th July 2024, jointly prepared by the Ibese, Ijako, and Igbogila communities, as recommended by the Ogun State Mediation Centre,” the statement read.

“The letter incorrectly stated that the total size of Ibese Community land occupied by Dangote Cement Factory was 2,863.931 hectares.

However, a more accurate survey revealed that the total size of Ibese land earmarked by the Ogun State Government for industrial purposes and mining is 12,612.621 hectares, while the area currently occupied by Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese, is 3,362.032 hectares,” the monarch explained.

Oba Mulero also pointed out that the letter mistakenly identified Igbogila town as one of the host communities of the cement factory, when in fact, Igbogila has never been a host community.

Upon discovering this error, the community, through the Ibese Community Development Association’s solicitors, formally retracted the letter and survey plan via a letter dated 15th August 2024, addressed to Dangote Cement Plc and other communities.

Oba Mulero declared that the community has dissociated itself from the erroneous letter and survey, deeming them null and void.

He stated that any settlements, compensations, or obligations based on the letter are invalid.

He reaffirmed the community’s commitment to resolving the issue amicably with Dangote Cement Company and expressed their willingness to resume discussions based on accurate and reliable data that reflects the true interests of the people of the community.