DANGOTE REFINERY PROJECT: KENYAN COURT SUSPENDS WORK, FIRM INSISTS GROUNDBREAKING WILL PROCEED
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By:Aminat Tajudeen
The Malindi Environment and Land Court in Kenya has ordered a temporary halt to activities related to the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu County pending further hearing.
The order followed a legal challenge by farmers and residents of Chandavai in Lamu County, who alleged forced eviction and the destruction of their properties in connection with the proposed project.
According to a Bloomberg report, Justice Jane Onyango directed that the existing situation be maintained until the next hearing. The court is expected to issue further directions on October 14, following an order issued on September 25 and made public on Monday.
Lawyer to the petitioners, George Wakahiu, told Bloomberg that the ruling means construction activities at the project site should not commence before the October 14 hearing.
The petitioners also alleged that the project had proceeded without adequate resettlement arrangements and without complying with Kenya’s environmental requirements, including a mandatory environmental impact assessment for major projects.
They further argued that the project did not meet constitutional requirements for public participation.
However, Dangote Group said the court had not stopped the planned groundbreaking ceremony.
In a statement reported by Reuters, the company acknowledged that activities at the refinery site could be affected by the order pending the October 14 hearing.
“The court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage,” the company said, while noting that both parties had been directed not to carry out activities at the site until the case is heard.
The proposed refinery is expected to have a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day. Kenyan President William Ruto has said his administration is fast-tracking the administrative processes required for the project.
Ruto made the remarks during a visit to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, ahead of the planned September 30 groundbreaking ceremony in Lamu.
He said the Kenyan government had secured land for the project and was working to remove bureaucratic obstacles that could delay construction and operations.
Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, has previously said the planned Kenyan facility would be larger than the existing Dangote refinery in Nigeria.
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