ADHA Expedites Efforts in Resolving Land Dispute Between Dangote, Communities

Adamawa State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee on Farmland Dispute has stepped up efforts towards resolving the lingering land dispute between Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) Numan Operations and its hosts communities.

The committee was constituted by the Speaker of the assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, with a mandate to peacefully resolve the dispute between DSR and hosts communities more especially in Guyuk LGA.

In order to proffer a lasting solution on the protracted land dispute, the committee led by the Deputy Majority Leader of the assembly, Hon. Ahmed Jingi Belel (Maiha), on Wednesday, stormed the DSR and interacted with the Group General Manager of DSR Numan Operations, Bello Dan-Musa and some management of the company.

Speaking while leading his committee during the visit, the Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ahmed Jingi Belel, said that the committee had visited hosts communities and decided to visit DSR in an effort to intervene in the dispute.

He said that the committee was mandated to look into the issue following a motion on matter of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Guyuk constituency, Hon. Sunday Peter.

The Lawmaker explained that their effort is to ensure peaceful coexistence between the company and communities, saying that as legislators they are always ready to listen and act on issues affecting their electorate.

Cross section of the members of the committee who spoke during the visit including Hon. Sunday Peter (Guyuk), Hon. Pwamwakeno Mackondo (Numan), Hon. Bauna Myadassa (Lamurde) and Hon. Kantomon Bulus Naftali (Shelleng).

The members stressed the need for understanding between the company and surrounding communities and urged it to carry people at the grassroots along in its project.

Responding, the Group General Manager DSR, Numan Operation, Bello Dan-Musa, appreciated the assembly for setting up the committee and thanked them for the visit.

Bello stated that what DSR wants is peaceful coexistence and that the company has been doing its best to make impact in hosts communities as directed by the President and Chief Executive, Alh. Aliko Dangote.

The GM said that the DSR has provided employment opportunities for the inhabitants of the hosts communities, economic empowerment, introduced scholarships scheme where 160 students benefit every year, and has been rehabilitating roads as part of its corporate social responsibility.

According to him, the company has 8,000 casual workers, 2,000 permanent staff who are mostly from the hosts communities and tha the company's minimum monthly payment is N1billion.

He pointed out that they have re-introduced and restructured out growers scheme aimed at economically empowering beneficiaries in the neighbouring LGAs, saying that about 6 months ago, they had paid out growers N1.1billion.

He informed the members that they are expanding on 32,000 hectares of land handed over to Dangote by the Federal Government, explaining that they have not gone beyond the portion of the land allocated to company by the FG.

He said that the land they are developing is covered by the certificate of occupancy issued by the government, saying that they consider the source of livelihood of the inhabitants of the surrounding communities in everything that they do.