Kenyan court halts construction of Dangote Group’s $16bn oil refinery as locals oppose project
A Kenyan court has ordered a halt to the construction of Aliko Dangote’s $16 billion oil refinery project in the East African country, following a petition by some locals opposing the project.
According to a Bloomberg report on Monday, Jane Onyango, a judge, ordered that “the status quo prevailing” be maintained in Lamu, north-eastern Kenya, where the refinery is planned to be built.
The court, in an order issued on Friday, is expected to give further directions on the case on October 14.
George Wakahiu, a lawyer representing the local opponents, said the ruling means construction of the project cannot begin until the court reconvenes on October 14.
Groundbreaking for the refinery, which is expected to reduce eastern Africa’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products, is scheduled for September 30.
The report said the 133 petitioners, who identified themselves as farmers and residents of Lamu, said the project would infringe on their property rights.
The petitioners alleged that the project involves “forceful eviction of the plaintiffs from their lands, damage and destruction of their properties and yet there is no resettlement plan for them”.
They also alleged that Dangote and Kenyan authorities had not complied with the country’s environmental code, which requires “a mandatory environmental impact assessment be done before the implementation of any major project”.
According to the court filings cited by Bloomberg, the project also fails to comply with Kenya’s constitution, “which requires that the necessary public participation” be conducted.
Reacting to the development, Dangote Group said the Kenyan court ruling would not halt the forthcoming groundbreaking ceremony for the planned oil refinery in Lamu on Wednesday, but that it may affect some site activities.
According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, the group said this is because of the status quo ruling of the court.
“The court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage,” the statement reads.
“However, activities at the site may be affected by the ruling as both parties are required not to carry activities until the case is heard on 14th October.”
The planned refinery is part of a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project known as the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia transport corridor, which includes railways, pipelines, a power plant, roads, and airports.