•By Halimah Olamie
Amidst recent allegations from business man, Aliko Dangote, BUA Group has responded to several claims levelled against its management in a 7 Page-Editorial by Dangote.
According to a comprehensive statement signed by the management on Friday, with a sense of responsibility, expressing dismay at what they perceive as baseless blackmail.
The statement reflected on the group’s agelong history of hostilities, difficulties, and alleged hindrances from the Dangote Group.
BUA group explained that in August 1991, when Nigeria was facing a sugar scarcity, BUA had sugar stock available for sale.
Dangote approached BUA to buy sugar, but he handed them a bounced Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria cheque, which eventually led to a court-ordered freezing of BUA’s assets. This incident tested BUA’s resilience for three challenging months, but they managed to survive.
In an attempt to expand their business, BUA Group leased land from Usman Dantata for a sugar refinery project with all the necessary approvals and payments.
However, Aliko Dangote, through political influence, had the lease revoked by former President Obasanjo, causing BUA to lose the land, even though it was originally Dangote’s uncle’s property. BUA was given only 24 hours to vacate the land.
After losing their initial land, it took BUA Group over a year to secure another piece of land. This second opportunity came through the generosity and support of their Chairman’s late father, who provided the land for their Lagos sugar refinery, ensuring the survival of their business.
“His gesture was a beacon of hope in one of our darkest hours. And so, BUA survived again another Dangote trap. Today, we are now the largest Sugar refining concern in West Africa,” the statement read.
The statement revealed further hurdles the Group encountered after being granted licenses to expand Nigeria’s cement industry, introducing an innovative approach with a floating cement factory.
“Our application to dock the floating terminal in Lagos met with resistance. We then decided to berth the ship at the terminal we owned in Port Harcourt”.
“For over 32 years, we have been cast as the antagonists in a narrative woven with malice. We have not just survived; we have thrived, expanding our operations and contributing to Nigeria’s economy without resorting to subterfuge.
“To Mr. Dangote and the Dangote Group, we say: Let us build, not belittle. Let us cultivate, not conquer. While we may share the marketplace, we need not share malice. We have nothing to do with your self-inflicted issues. Blame no one but yourself.”