Kenyan tribunal dismiss COFEK case against Dangote Lamu refinery

A Kenyan tribunal don dismiss petition by Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) against Aliko Dangote planned crude oil refinery at Lamu port, according to ruling dated October 30 wey Reuters report on Thursday.

The tribunal, Kenya Public-Private Partnerships Petitions Committee Tribunal, talk say COFEK no prove say the refinery na public-private partnership (PPP) project. E also talk say no legal basis to force make dem release documents about the development.

COFEK been ask the tribunal to set aside and review any approvals wey dem give the refinery wey no meet the requirements. E also want make government disclose details of plan to take stake in the project, including investment vehicle, share class, payment terms and evidence of public participation.

The petition na one of several legal challenges to the 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery on Kenya Indian Ocean coast.

Land case lifted

In September, Malindi Environment and Land Court order parties to keep status quo on land wey dem mark for the project, one day before planned groundbreaking ceremony. The order come after 133 residents of Chandavai talk say the land na ancestral property wey their families don occupy and use for generations.

On October 14, the court lift that order, clearing way for construction to begin for Lamu.

On August 21, David Ndii, chairman of Kenyan President Council of Economic Advisors, announce say Dangote Group don offer East African countries 30 per cent equity stake in planned refinery for the region.

Why e matter

Dangote dey build petroleum distribution network across Africa. E talk say the group don buy 25 per cent of Kenya petroleum products pipeline network, with support of Kenyan President.

E talk say the group dey pursue pipelines, storage facilities and supply corridors across East, Central and Southern Africa to make fuel supply problems less and move refined products between markets more easily.

E also name corridor wey link Djibouti to Addis Ababa for Ethiopia, with projects for Cameroon and Namibia at different stages.

"We dey very aggressive with that," Dangote talk when dem ask am about the group plans for depots, pipelines and other distribution infrastructure.

For Nigerian readers, the push matter because Dangote refinery for home don dey seen as way to cut Nigeria reliance on imported fuel. A wider African network fit make the group bargaining power and supply links stronger, though e also spread its focus and capital beyond Nigeria.

Dangote also don call on African governments to protect domestic industries from unfair foreign competition.

Wetin go happen next

Construction for Lamu fit proceed after dem lift land order. The sources no talk whether COFEK plan to appeal the tribunal ruling.