Youths in Okuni, Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, have sealed off a Chinese wood processing factory in what they termed as an “illegal factory”
The angry youths sealed off the factory on Monday morning while demanding the much-deliberated documents from the Chinese nationals.
According to report, the youths, who are indigenes of Effi community in Okuni, where the said illegal factory is located, have been demanding necessary documents and certifications authorising the Chinese nationals who are into wood processing to carry out legitimate business in the community. They also demanded the details of the agreement with the community as well as immigration papers and the identity of the Chinese.
After efforts to obtain the necessary information and documents failed, the angry youths of Effi community led a protest at the factory premises, demanding to see the management of the company.
Learning of the absence of the management staff, the youths who trooped out in their numbers chased all staff from the company and barricaded the gate, asking the company to stop work until the management attended to them.
After sealing off the factory following the absence of the management staff, Comrade Obaji Ndoma Ori, the youths president of Okuni, said the issue leaves so many unanswered questions, adding that the parties involved have decided not to attend to their yearnings
According to him, “We have been demanding a full understanding of the agreement the community entered with this Chinese company for so long, and nobody is giving us answers. How can a company be operating in our community, and yet we don’t know their name or their management, nor do we know the terms of the agreement?
“All the things they promised to do like installation of street lights, good pay and safe working environment for their workers, construction of some roads within the community and scholarships for some of the indigenous students, none have come to fruition.
“We have asked the factory to stop operation until the management of the company answers our questions.”
“We have asked the factory to stop operation until the management of the company answers our questions.”
He explained that the indigenes of Okuni who are working in the company are maltreated with no safety measures or welfare in place for them
He said, “They (Chinese nationals) employ underage children, which in law it is termed ‘Child Labour’, maltreat our sons and daughters who work for them and beat them up at will. How can you employ staff to work in your factory without safety equipment No safety boots, no helmet, or gloves. “They flog our men and women, forcing them to work as if they are slaves; in their own village? We won’t accept that any longer, and if they must continue operation, then we must return to the drawing board, see the content of their agreement with the community and resolve all pending issues.”
He said, “What they are asking for is their right, they say they want to see the agreement the Chinese had with the community. Although there is an agreement, it is not the place of the company to tender such an agreement to the demanding youths. Rather the community chiefs and lawyers are the ones to explain to them and show them the agreement they demand. “Presently, the manager of the company is not in town. He left for Calabar this morning, so I have told them we will schedule a meeting immediately after he returns to town.
Despite the Chinese nationals sending the Police to remove the barricades and ordering the staff to resume work in the said illegal factory, the youths have returned to chase all workers away and re-sealed the entrance.
