Nigeria: The people of Benue State have protested against the continued closure of Dangote Cement's Gboko plant. The plant has been temporary shut down as a result of an alleged cement 'glut,' which cement producers say is being caused by massive cement imports.

A statement from Dangote Group said that the chairman, Gboko Local Government, Nahan Zinda decried the continued closure of the Dangote plant, saying that his local government is losing vast sums of revenue and that the closure was having knock-on effects in other areas of the economy, including trading stalls outside the factory. Zinda called on the federal government to expedite action by doing all it takes for the factory to reopen.

"Since the company was closed, cement prices have risen," said Zinda. "Our people have been jobless and suffering. It may also lead to anti-social behaviours. Our women, who have petty businesses outside the gate, are also complaining bitterly," he said.

Grace John, who spoke on behalf of women traders in Gboko, said that social and commercial activities have virtually come to a halt and that life was becoming difficult. She appealed for the quick reopening of the plant in the interest of women traders.

Benue State Commissioner of Finance Conrad Werbga said, "Importation impacts negatively on the economy. It causes lots of ripples. It comes with attendant negative consequences for our nation. The federal government must do all it could to reverse the trend."

All parties will be keen to keep disruption caused by the plant closure to a minimum. On 17 August 2011, a dispute between a trader and cement plant worker rapidly escalated to a full-scale riot, with 20 deaths and widespread looting in Gboko.