the report of the Committee of Inquiry set up to investigate activities of “unfair practices” levelled against Inner Galaxy Steel Company assuring that he would study and implement the report accordingly.
Recall that the State Government set up the panel in a bid to get to the root of all allegations levelled against the Chinese Company, located in Obehie,Ukwa West LGA of the state, after a public outcry.
Speaking while receiving the report at Government House Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu urged government agencies and officials to see themselves as enablers to ensure that investors succeed adding that manufacturing companies are of greater benefits to their host communities as they can provide job to all strata of individuals.
Ikpeazu who appealed to elites in Abia State including Ukwa West to educate their youths on the need to become employable and be part of the emerging industrial city in Ukwa West, also charged youths of various communities in the state to be discreet in relating with those coming to invest in their areas as well as see industries in their communities as sources of revenue and show support to them.
While noting that government has the responsibility of ensuring that private industries in the State operate within the confines of the law, Ikpeazu vowed to continue to provide the enabling environment in Abia for investors to operate.
He described the Inner Galaxy Company as a flagship industry in which made Abia the foremost state in the recycling of metal waste and assured that his government is committed to ensuring that host communities are not short-changed by investors.
The Governor revealed that his administration is working hard to untie shackles around other ailing industries in the State such as the Modern Ceramics, with a view to resuscitating them adding that efforts in reactivating moribund industries have thrived as Golden Guinea Breweries has been revived.
The Governor directed the Ministry of Industry to do its job of supervising industries in the State with the aim of enabling the industries to thrive in addition to reducing non compliance to rules of engagement.
He congratulated the committee on a job well done, noting that he has set up an implementation committee.
Presenting the report earlier, the Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry,Chief (Mrs.) Uwaoma Olenwengwa stated that the allegation against the company was blown out of proportion by the whistle blower.
She said the public outcry against the company was as a result of the circumstance sorrounding the Covid-19 pandemic in which the company engaged in a make shift arrangement, mandating the workers to stay back and sleep in containers to avoid contacting the infection while going home after work.
She said, in what could be described as a surprise, the company has within this period of investigation built a six block accommodation for its staff and that the staff have independently affirmed that they have received their salaries till date contrary to previous information at their disposal but added that they need a pay rise.
The committee recommended among others that the State Ministry of Industry should live up to its responsibility of supervising industries to reduce non compliance to rules of engagements.
Olewengwa appreciated Governor Ikpeazu for finding her worthy to serve as chairman of the committee.
