The Abia State government has commenced the investigation to look into the alleged Inhuman treatment and evasion of taxes accrued to the state by inner Galaxy Steel Company, located at Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state yesterday.
Chairman of the Committe, Chief Mrs Uwaoma Olewangwa, While speaking during the panel at Aguiyi Confetence center Umuahia said that the Committee would ensure that all the parties involved in the matter were given fair and adequate hearing on the issue.
She urged all involved in the matter to come forward to present their case to the Committee in order to assist them in finding out the truth behind the alleged inhuman treatment being metted to the staff of the firm.
Olewangwa, said that the Committee would visit the firm at an undisclosed date to interview some of the staff in order to ascertain the true state of the matter.
Again, the Secretary of the panel Chief Sam Hart called on the public or anybody who has useful information that would assist the panel in carrying out their fact finding mission effectively to forward it to the Committee.
Addressing the newsmen, the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, Hon Godwin Adiele, noted that the Abia State Government was not in any way trying to scare foreign investors away, but to ensure that the welfare of workers working in these private firms are adequately protected, adding that from the hearing, the committee have been able to narrow their findings to three issues; Staff welfare, Strategies for waste management by the company and how they are handling the Local Content Law of the Federal Government.He stated that if these issues are properly handled, the problem would be resolved.
The Attorney to the firm,Inner Galaxy Steel, Barrister Nnamdi Ahaaiwe,in his submission to the Committee said that the firm had not and will not in any way maltreat its staff.
He pointed out that all the welfare and salary of the staff of the company were being given to them as and at when due.He also noted that all the workers that sustained injury while discharging their duties were adequately taken care of medically.
The panel however, has Ten working days from the day of the sitting to submit its report to the State Governor,Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.
