The management of Food Affairs Limited has raised the alarm over what it described as malicious destruction of its business structure located at No 1 Uyo/Ikot Ekpene road, in Ikot Ekpene Local government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
It therefore, called on the Federal government as well as the state government to investigate into the matter and ensure that they are duly compensated over the loss.
It could be recalled that the Food Affairs Eatery located at the centre of Ikot Ekpene was demolished on June 27, 2019 to give way for construction of the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene Road.
The managing director of Food Affairs, Mr. Isidore Ubong, in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Monday blamed the then commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen for unlawful demolition of the structure without paying compensation to them.
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He insisted that due process was not followed before the demolition of the structure, noting that they were not informed before the day.
He also recalled how the staff narrowly escaped death during the demolition and how the firm lost fortunes during the exercise as looters had a field day and made away with products and equipment in the facility.
“It was a terrible and pitiable scene as staff and customers scampered for safety, and some regrettably left their personal belongings behind as the madness continued.
“Properties worth millions of naira ranging from furniture, electronics, refrigerating and air condition equipment, raw, semi-finished and finished food products, fittings, toys, generators, staff personal effects as well as cash were smashed by the two bulldozers that abruptly entered the premises on the command and supervision of the commissioner.”
On the allegation that the state government has already paid the outfit a sum of Two Hundred and Eighty Million Naira (N150M by governor Godswill Akpabio, N100M by Udom Emmanuel and N30M by the Commissioner) while they refused to pack out, the MD denied it asking the state government to show proof of payment of compensation.
He, therefore, called on the Federal and State government to do thorough investigations on the matter and pay adequate compensation for the loss.
However, efforts to reach the then Commissioner for Works, Ephraim Inyangeyen was not successful as he neither picked his calls nor responded to the text message sent to his phone, even the present Commissioner, Eno Ibanga did not answer his calls when contacted.
