By Our Correspondent
In response to a recent publication in National Reports titled “Ibese Youths Write Dangote Cement Over Land Tussle with Neighboring Communities,” the leadership of Ibese, under the authority of His Royal Majesty, Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero, the Aboro of Ibese, has addressed the ongoing land dispute involving the Ibese and Igbogila communities.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Aboro of Ibese-in-Council Chief Leke Ibikunle for the Monarch Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero on Wednesday.
The statement reads: In response to the recent publication on National Reports titled “Ibese Youths Write Dangote Cement Over Land Tussle
with Neighboring Communities” His Royal Majesty, Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero, the Aboro of Ibese and the Aboro of Ibese-in-Council, wish to clarify the Ibese community’s position regarding the ongoing land dispute involving Ibese and
Igbogila Communities on the one hand and the settlement process with
between Ibese Community and Dangote Cement Factory on the other hand,
The concerns raised by the youth of Ibese Community about the land tussle are
understandable, however, it is crucial to provide accurate information on the community's official position and actions in this matter.
In a bid to seek alternative resolution to the long-standing legal battle of over
Twelve (12) years between a certain group called Ibese Community Development Association and Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese on the
obligations of Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese to the Community under the Minerals and Mining Act, the matter was referred by the Honourable Court to the
Ogun State Multi-Door Court Centre, where it was suggested that a joint
settlement proposal should be presented by all aggrieved communities who
have similar claims in the court to Dangote Cement Plant, Ibese.
The current concern stems from a significant error in the Survey Plan captured in
a Letter dated 26th July, 2024, jointly prepared by the Ibese, Ijako and Igbogila
communities titled “Harmonised Demands from Ibese, Ijako and Igbogila Communities”, as recommended by the Ogun State Meditation Centre. The
Letter under reference:
(a)erroneously stated that the total size of Ibese Community land occupied
by Dangote Cement Factory was 2,863.931 hectares. However, a more
accurate survey and investigation revealed that the total size of Ibese
land earmarked by 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.
(b)Mispresented Igbogila town as one of the host communities of Dangote Cement Factory, when Igbogila has never been a member of Dangote Cement Factory, Ibese’s host community.
Upon discovering this significant error and misrepresentation, His Royal Majesty
Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero (Olokojobi III), Aboro of Ibese Land, the Aboro of
Ibese-in-Council and the Ibese Central Youth Association have taken immediate action through the Ibese Community Development Association’s
Solicitors i.e. Generation Solicitors, who has formally retracted the said Letter and
the Survey Plan via a Letter dated 15th August, 2024 addressed to Dangote
Cement Plc and other communities. Therefore entire Ibese Community has since dissociated itself from the erroneous Letter and Survey, declaring them as null
and void.
As such, any settlements, compensations, or obligations predicated on the Letter
dated 26th July, 2024, jointly prepared by Ibese, Ijako and Igbogila communities
is invalid and should be disregarded by all concerned parties, including
Dangote Cement Plc.
The Ibese Community remains committed to resolving the issue amicably with
Dangote Cement Factory and is open to resuming discussions only if future
agreements and discussions are based on accurate and reliable data, reflecting
the true interests of the Ibese Community.
Signed
Chief Leke Ibikunle, FCIB
The Ekarun of Ibeseland
Secretary to the Aboro of Ibese-in-Council
For:
•
HRM Oba Rotimi Oluseyi Mulero (Olokojobi III)
•
The Aboro of Ibese Council of Chiefs
•
Ibese Community Development Association
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