Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Akwa Ibom State Government has condemned the alleged maltreatment of workers by an Indian firm operating in the state, Sterling Petrochemicals and Fertilizers Ltd. SPFL, warning that it will not tolerate the engagement of its indigenes without fulfilling the globally accepted conditions of employment.
Sterling Petrochemicals and Fertilizers Ltd, is the developer of a sub-zone in Liberty Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone which cuts across Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, and Easter Obolo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, regulated by the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA.
The company is accused of exploitative labor practices, and for subjecting workers to poor working conditions, long hours, and bereft of adequate fringe benefits, as well as disregarding an existing MoU of ensuring that 40percent of its total workforce are indigenes of Akwa Ibom State.
Akwa Ibom State Director General of Government Business, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, reacting to allegations of flagrant disrespect and noncompliance to rules of engagement of workers by SPFL, warned that the government will stop at nothing in ensuring that the dignity of Akwa Ibom people was respected.
Assam who is the Chairman of a mediation committee between the erring oil firm and the affected communities in Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo local government areas, has directed that the management of SPFL be compelled to clear the air.
The former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia and Belarus, frowned at the alleged insensitivity of SPFL in their dealings with the people, and condemned in totality their resort to intimidation using the military, noting that the government will not accept any act that reduces Akwa Ibom people to second class citizens.
He said SPFL ought to learn from the labour-friendly disposition of Governor Umo Eno, and be a good corporate citizen of the State, failure of which the State Government will revoke the land given to the company to operate in Akwa Ibom State.
“We cannot accept this in any part of Akwa Ibom State. You cannot reduce our people to slaves in their land. We must see the nominal role of your employees. We must know exactly what you are doing so that people will not import arms into our State in the name of bringing in machines and equipment.
“In fact, as it stands now, we do not even know who you are working for or who is working for you because other firms are equally involved. We cannot put the people at such risk.”
Also, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr. Aniefiok Nkom, said SPFL has shown great irresponsibility in its operations, with total disregard to court orders and turning down of invitations by the State Government to mediate in the lingering issues.
Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Okon Okon, disclosed that Sterling Global has neither paid a dime as tenement tax nor PAYE tax to the State Government, as their operations were shrouded in secrecy, giving them out as people with a deliberate mission on tax evasion.
For their part, Transition Committee Chairmen for Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, and Eastern Obolo LGAs lamented the agony that SPFL has thrown their people into, and commended the State Government for coming to their rescue, as the situation was becoming unbearable and lethal.
