VIDEO: Dangote reacts to Kenyan court order pausing $16bn oil refinery

The Dangote Group has reacted to a Kenyan court order pausing activities at the site of its planned $16bn oil refinery in Lamu, saying the order will not stop the project’s groundbreaking ceremony. The Malindi Environment and Land Court had ordered that the “status quo prevailing” on the disputed land be maintained until a hearing scheduled for October 14. The order followed a lawsuit filed by 133 residents of Chandavai in Lamu County, who said the land where the refinery is planned is their ancestral land and that their families have lived and farmed there for generations.

In a statement on Tuesday, Dangote Group said the court order could affect some activities at the site but would not stop the groundbreaking ceremony. ALSO READ: Kenyan court halts Dangote’s $16bn oil refinery, gives reason “The court has not halted the groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery at this stage. 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 statement read.

Speaking at an investor event in Nairobi on Tuesday, Dangote also addressed the court order and expressed confidence that the refinery project would go ahead. “I'm sure some of you must have seen one court (has) given an order that we shouldn't do any construction? I said no, no. This is normal for us in Africa. ... In fact, this is even small,” he said. “Anyone who wants to cause trouble, we are ready for them,” he added.

The planned refinery in Lamu will have a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day and is expected to cost between $15bn and $16bn. Dangote hopes to complete the project by 2030. The refinery is expected to follow the model of his 700,000-barrel-per-day plant near Lagos, which has helped Nigeria increase its fuel exports. Unlike Nigeria, Kenya currently has no commercial oil production. Earlier this month, Dangote began an initial public offering of shares in his Lagos refinery, in what was described as Africa’s biggest share sale.

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