NEWS IN: Dangote Breaks Silence After Kenyans Filed A Case To Block Planned Lamu Oil Refinery

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has downplayed the ongoing court dispute over his planned KSh2 trillion refinery in Lamu, saying his company is accustomed to legal challenges when investing in Africa.

Speaking on Tuesday, September 29, during a meeting with Kenyan and East African institutional investors on the proposed initial public offering of Dangote Refinery, the businessman described the Lamu dispute as a minor setback.

“This is normal for us in Africa. In fact, this is small,” Dangote said, comparing the situation to a previous legal battle involving his company in Senegal.

He maintained that his business group was prepared to use legal channels to protect its investments and would not be discouraged by the dispute.

“In Senegal, they stopped our factory. We went to the Supreme Court… anyone who wants to cause trouble, we are ready,” he stated.

Dangote also suggested that his company knew the people behind the Lamu dispute, adding that it was prepared to confront the matter legally.

His remarks come as the Malindi Environment and Land Court handles a dispute over land earmarked for the proposed refinery.

The court has ordered parties to maintain the status quo on land parcel LR No. 13061 until October 14, 2026. However, it declined to stop the refinery’s planned groundbreaking ceremony, allowing preparations to continue.

On Saturday, September 26, the MV Da Yang docked at the Port of Lamu carrying 2,930 metric tonnes of construction equipment ahead of the ceremony.

The refinery is expected to process crude oil from Turkana’s Lokichar fields and other regional sources, supplying petroleum products to Kenya and neighbouring countries.

Dangote cited a similar dispute in Senegal, where construction of his company’s Pout cement plant was halted over land ownership claims. Senegal’s Supreme Court ruled in the company’s favour in 2013, paving the way for the lifting of the closure order.

Despite the ongoing court case, preparations for the Lamu refinery are continuing as the legal proceedings remain unresolved.

https://peopledaily.digital/news/this-is-a-small-issue-dangote-reacts-after-court-ruling-on-lamu-refinery

Kitakicha [email protected]