Dangote sugar refinery: Tension in Tunga over demolition of houses

There was tension yesterday in Awe Local government Area of Nasarawa state over alleged illegal demolition of houses and economic trees by the Dangote Group of Companies in Akoh settlement in Tunga area of the state

Addressing newsmen, a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Tanko Al-Makura on Local Integration, Francis Yua, described the action of the company as illegal, saying if the community had been contacted, the right thing was for the company to follow due process by paying the necessary compensation before acquiring the land as stipulated by the law.

A community leader of Akoh Zaki Mchianan Aliebo, said officials of Dangote invaded the community with bulldozers, pulling down economic trees notification.

The Community Relations Manager of the Dangote Sugar Refinery in Tunga, Saidu Muhammed, told newsmen that the company was not aware of the demolition, but said actions had been taken on the instructions of the traditional institution in Tunga chiefdom who, according to him, had requested the company’s bulldozers to clear his boundary areas.

When contacted the Emir of Tunga, Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim, said that he did not order the demolition of the houses in Akoh and Dangote company did not notify him about it. The said: “The company erred in its action and I have contacted the officials of company to compensate the affected community.” houses without and any