The Dangote Group has announced that it will proceed with the groundbreaking ceremony for its proposed $16 billion refinery in Lamu, Kenya, on Wednesday, despite a court order in a land dispute. The Malindi Environment and Land Court had ordered parties to maintain the status quo on the disputed land until October 14, when the case will be heard. The court order was dated September 25 but made public on Monday.
According to the Dangote Group, the court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage. However, activities at the project site could be affected because the parties had been ordered not to undertake activities on the disputed land pending the hearing. The group remains confident and prepared to defend its interests through the legal process, having faced similar challenges in the past.
The land dispute involves 133 residents of Chandavai, who claim ancestral rights to the land earmarked for the refinery. They are challenging the project over alleged lack of compensation and resettlement, citing that the land has been occupied and cultivated by their families for generations. The residents have asked the court to stop further construction and other activities on the land pending the determination of the case.
The Dangote Group has experience in handling similar legal challenges, having faced a similar dispute during the launch of one of its factories in Senegal. The company pursued the matter through the courts up to the Supreme Court, which eventually delivered a judgment in its favour. This experience has prepared the group to defend its interests in the Kenyan case.
President William Ruto of Kenya is expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, along with Aliko Dangote. The Kenyan government has backed the project, with Ruto expressing his full support during a visit to Dangote’s refinery in Lagos on Monday. The Lamu refinery, with a planned capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, is part of Dangote’s expansion across Africa.
The court order was issued by Justice Jane Onyango, who ordered that the status quo be maintained on the parcel of land in the Hindi/Manda Magogoni area of Lamu County. However, the court declined the applicants’ request to stop the planned groundbreaking ceremony. The residents are seeking recognition of their interests in the land acquisition process, as well as compensation and resettlement.
The Dangote Group has stated that it is prepared to defend its interests and face any challenges that may arise. Aliko Dangote said that anyone who wants to cause trouble is welcome, as the company is ready to take on the challenge. The groundbreaking ceremony is set to proceed, with the Kenyan government and Dangote Group confident in the project's success.
Key points
- The Dangote Group will proceed with the groundbreaking ceremony for its $16 billion refinery in Lamu, Kenya, despite a court order in a land dispute.
- The land dispute involves 133 residents who claim ancestral rights to the land and are challenging the project over alleged lack of compensation and resettlement.
- The Kenyan government has backed the project, with President William Ruto expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony.
