Otti Warns Chinese Company Of Penalties Following Allegations Of Employee Abuse, Neglect, Tax Evasion

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has warned Inner Galaxy Steel Company, a Chinese firm in Umuahala-Obuzor, Ukwa West, of severe penalties for alleged employee abuse, neglect of social responsibilities, and six years of tax evasion.

Otti delivered this warning during a meeting with the company’s management and the Traditional Rulers Council at his home in Umuehim Nvosi.

Ukwa West Mayor Newman Azu accused the company of daily water pollution and failing to pay taxes to the local government for six years.

Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Augustine Dike, claimed the company pays workers as little as N15,000 per month, neglects community relations, and damages and abandons community roads. He also said the company ignored several letters from the community.

Otti addressed the company’s management, saying successful companies have a department to manage relations with the local 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 many security agencies you surround yourselves with.”

He urged the company to audit staff wages to find out the exact amount their staff were being paid.

The reality is that if the government gives instructions and it is not carried out, I will shut down the place,” Otti warned.

“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 remarks from people”, he told the company’s management.

In response, the company’s managing director, Hongming Zhang, said they prioritise staff welfare and follow international best practices. He stated that wages range from N60,000 to N500,000, depending on the job.

“We provide accommodations for the staff that live in the compound and we have our canteen where staff can get food from using the meal tickets given to them by the company,” Zhang added.

He, however, assured that the company would work to meet the community’s demands and improve relations.

Daily Post recalled that a female staff of Inner Galaxy, Vivian Ocheze Ogbonna, was allegedly pushed down from a crane in May this year by a Chinese manager, which led to the staff’s death.

The death caused community-wide protests in Umuahala Obuzor Ukwa.

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