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Abia state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has charged Inner Galaxy Steel Company, a Chinese firm operating in Abia State to evolve initiatives that can contribute positively to the socio-economic growth of the host communities and the State in extension.
Governor Otti stated this during a meeting with the management of Inner Galaxy Steel Company and the Ukwa West Traditional Rulers Council held at the Governor’s residence.
The meeting followed a petition written by the Traditional Rulers Council of Ukwa West to the Governor against the company, which is sited in Umuahala-Obuzor, Ukwa West LGA, alleging acts of employees abuse and non-performance of corporate social responsibility.
He disclosed that the matter involving the company showed that there was no good communication between the company and the host communities.
According to the Governor, “Successful companies set up a host relations department, some people call it community relations, who interface between the company and the host community.
“It is not very good for it to be reported that you have not sat down with the leadership of your host community and if they write you letters you ignore those letters.
“The truth about it is that if the community is not there, you cannot exist. If the community is in turmoil, your business will be in turmoil no matter how much of security agencies you surround yourselves with.”
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor Mr Ukoha Njoku in a statement said that Otti directed the management of the company to conduct an internal audit to find out the exact amount the staff members are being paid to address the issues being raised about the minimum wage.
The governor said that the government’s resolve to broker peace between the company and the host community is based on its determination to encourage businesses in the state.
He, however, said that the continued operation of the company in Abia would be based on its good behavior and in playing by the rules, respecting the host community, carrying out its cooperate social responsibility and paying taxes accordingly.
He assured that under his watch, Abia State Government would not tolerate any form of non-compliance to government directives.
The governor said that the government follows due process in addressing every matter and called for a meeting to give fair hearing to all the parties involved but warned that he would not tolerate any form of disrespect to government directives.
“The reality is that, if the government gives an instructions and it is not carried out, I will shutdown the place.
“I don’t joke, but I follow due process and this is the due process that we are following, by saying that the Mayor should coordinate periodic meetings between the company and the host communities.
“The issues raised must be discussed in the meetings and the parties must comply. If they do not comply, I will bring out the big stick and nothing will happen.
“I am sure they have seen our government. It is a very serious minded government. We don’t cut corners, so if you are supposed to do something, you do it.
“Somebody was trying to pollute the waterway in Umuahia, I shut down the company and everything until they complied.
“The first thing to do is to listen to people and then give them room. So, you assume that everybody is innocent until they prove themselves guilty.
“We cannot pass a guilty judgement without giving them opportunity to fair hearing. I will not even tolerate it”.
He enjoined the company to become a good corporate citizen by carrying out activities that would positively impact on its host community.
“If a road is bad and the road leads to your company, there is something called corporate social responsibility.
“Our people say that charity begins at home and there is another saying that wherever you live as your home, that is where you will protect first”.
He said that there were reports that the company uses the security agents attached to the company to harass the members of the host community and charged the company to desist from encouraging such acts.
Governor Otti further charged the management of the company to make concerted efforts to redeem its image because the company rarely elicits good remarks from members of the public.
“This is the second time I am meeting with you and the first time, I told you that your name is not good because anytime your name is mentioned, it does not bring good remark from people.
“It means something is wrong and to add insult to injury, your staff was now involved in this one that I don’t want to talk about because it is still before the court.”
