Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, director general of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) probe method of Dangote’s Group is unfair and will scare foreign investors away.
MAN DG who made this known in a televised interview with Arise Television Monday, said the association is not in support of the EFCC’s approach of probing Dangote, whose arrays of businesses contribute to the growth of the country.
Dangote’s Group has been under the scrutiny of the EFCC in the past couple of days over the misappropriation of forex allotment from the central bank to 52 firms.
Ajayi-Kadiri called on the EFCC to clear the air as to what its real intent is.
“The issue of the invasion of Dangote headquarters is a very serious one. I believe it is something that Nigeria needs to look at in a very serious manner so that the government decides as to whether we will continue to encourage private investments and how we treat our champions.”
He said that Dangote plays an important part in Nigeria’s growth, providing job opportunities for people, paying billions worth of taxes yearly, and luring foreign investors into Africa’s largest nation.
“Dangote industry is an institution, it is one of the biggest manufacturing entities in not only Nigeria but in Africa. It employs thousands of people. It is one of those companies that the government can rely upon,” he said.
He emphasized the impact Dangote has on Nigeria and Africa at large.
Ajayi-Kadiri said the EFCC has not painted Dangote in a good light and this might further affect the level of foreign investors that Nigeria will hitherto attract.
“If we have big investors, as big as Dangote, who want to come into the country, they are going to look at how the existing ones are treated.”
“I believe that as a nation that wants to grow its economy, what we should be focusing on is having more of Dangotes’ not killing the one that we have.”
He added that in other countries, Aliko Dangote was treated with more respect and therefore, Nigeria should give him the respect he deserves and has worked for.
“Dangote is one of the African champions that is recognised by the African Union. In other countries, even presidents come to see him. We should be circumspect in terms of how we deal with our champions and we should be kind in how we judge them.”
Ajayi-Kadiri also said the government should be alliancing with Dangote to solve foreign exchange issues, rather than cause him national embarrassment.
