—-As Low Makers Vow to Hold Erring Companies Accountable For Gross Negligence
‘’Eleme hosts over 400 companies and between the first quarter of 2020 and 2021, the federal government through Customs generated over 80 billion naira from our land’’.
The Executive Chairman of Eleme LGA, Chief Hon Obalomate Ollor yesterday 16th July engaged the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment lamenting the challenges and hardship faced by the people of Eleme LGA despite being the economic hub of the nation.
Speaking during the visit of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment to Eleme LGA on an oversight function, Chief Obarilomate decried the negligence on the part of the Federal Government to fix the Eleme axis of the East-West road, the lack of corporate social responsibility (CSR) presence of multinationals operating in Eleme amongst many others. In his words; “it is on record that Eleme hosts over 400 companies and between the first quarter of 2020 and 2021, the federal government through Custom generated over 80 billion naira from our land, this can only be possible where the local government ensures peace and security
“However, despite these gestures, the Eleme people have continued to suffer failed or lack of power supply, employment into managerial positions, empowerment and adequate infrastructural developments from the companies as most of these companies have little or no presence of their CSR or interventions in our land and this we believe violates the provisions of our Corporate Social Responsibility law and Nigerian Local Content Development Act.
“Because of the operations of these companies with their heavy-duty trucks carrying containers, almost all parts of the roads in Eleme have become very bad leaving the people suffering from continuous gridlocks and casualties on a daily basis. We hereby appeal that this noble committee intervenes by requesting the federal government immediately commences construction on the Eleme axis of the East-West road “It may also interest you to know that many of the multinationals operating in our land hide under the shield and coverage of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, the Nigerian Port Authority and other major multinationals to renege on their CSR. We hereby request that your noble committee prevails on OGFZA, NPA and other major multinationals to allow the LG to have unhindered access directly to these companies considering the untold pollution and other hazards the people of Eleme suffer from the operations of these companies, he requested.
The Eleme Council Boss maintained that Eleme is willing and ready to remain peaceful and accommodate more local and foreign investors while thanking Rivers State Governor and assuring that the local government is ready to cooperate with companies to develop Eleme in line with the visions of His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State.
Responding to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment Senator Francis Afadahnsi (OFR) commended the people of Eleme for remaining peaceful despite the sufferings in plenty and provocations from different quarters. He however blamed some of the challenges faced by the people on politicking, the failure of some leaders in certain quarters and agencies like NDDC not living up to their responsibilities. He promised his committee will engage the Senate Committee on Works and also interface with the Minister for Works and Housing Mr Babatunde Fashola so he can reciprocate here on the East-West road that he did in Apapa, Lagos State.
For the companies, he said the Committee will get the list of the companies from OGRZA and invite them over for questioning. He however pleaded with the people of Eleme to remain peaceful, keep to dialogue and never resort to violence or acts that will drive away the multinationals as according to him, that will mean further impoverishing the people and developing other countries they will run to.
July 16, 2021
