Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has downplayed a Kenyan court order temporarily halting construction activities at the site of his planned multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in Lamu, describing such challenges as routine on the continent.
The billionaire said he knows those behind the legal challenges and declared his readiness to confront opponents.
Dangote spoke on Tuesday at a high-level investor engagement organised for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery initial public offering with Kenyan and East African institutional investors in Nairobi.
His comments came a day after reports emerged that a Kenyan court had ordered that construction activities at the proposed refinery site be put on hold pending further hearing.
Recalling how he learnt of the development, Dangote said he saw reports of the court order after landing in Kenya on Monday night.
“Yesterday, as I was landing here at night, because I always try to switch off my Wi-Fi on my plane so that I’ll be able to rest. I don’t want to be disturbed. But immediately when I open my phone, they say report by Bloomberg. I’m sure some of you must have seen it. ‘One court has given an order that we shouldn’t do any construction.
Dangote recalled a similar experience involving one of his projects in Senegal.
“We don’t care. In fact, this is even small. In Senegal, it’s not even court. They stopped even our factory for one year. We went up to the Supreme Court to get a judgment. So, anybody who wants to cause trouble, we’re ready for them.”
Dangote added, “We’re not bothered. Don’t worry. We know who are the people doing all these things, so we’ll face them.”
A Kenyan court had directed that the status quo be maintained at the proposed refinery site following a petition by some farmers and residents of Chandavai in Lamu County, who alleged forceful eviction and destruction of their properties.
According to a Bloomberg report, the Malindi Environment and Land Court ordered that the status quo prevailing at the site be maintained, with further directions scheduled for 14 October.
The petitioners also alleged that the project had not complied with environmental and public participation requirements.
However, Dangote Group said in a statement on Tuesday that the court order had not halted the planned groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery, although activities at the site could be affected pending the hearing.
