The Chairman, House Committee on Climate change, Federal House of Representatives, National Assembly Abuja, Hon. Chris Nkwonta has decried the alleged brutal killings of Miss Ocheze Vivian Ogbonna and Mr. Chimobi Dikeji by the Chinese and their agents at the Inner Galaxy Company Ltd, Umuahala Asa, Ukwa-West Local Government Area (LGA), Abia state.
In a press release signed by the Head, Media and Public Communications, Office of Hon. Chris Nkwonta, Dr. Chidi Nwankpa, and made available to newsmen, he expressed dismay over the development, calling for justice for the slain workers.
Hon. Chris Nkwonta Member representing Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal Constituency in Federal House of Representatives, National Assembly Abuja
Nkwonta had prayed the green chamber, during plenary yesterday to unravel the circumstances surrounding the painful and unfortunate death of Miss Ocheze Vivian Ogbonna and Mr. Chimobi Dikeji.
He maintained that Mr. Power and other alleged culprits in these heinous crimes must face the full wrath of the law, insisting that the company should also be made to bear the cost of giving the deceased a befitting burials and financial compensation to the bereaved families.
The lawmaker representing Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal Constituency, urged the Honourable Speaker and members of the house to consider the plight of over 1000 Nigerian workers in that company and ensure that the company takes adequate steps at improving their welfare and provide safe working environment for them.
Nkwonta further said: “The Inner Galaxy Company Management should be made to embrace peace and good working relationship with the relevant stakeholders, including; the workers, host communities and governments at all levels rather than conducting themselves in manners that depict wickedness, enslavement and corruption”.
The Ndoki-born federal legislator, who reiterated his commitment towards the welfare of his constituents, stated that Nigerians cannot become second class citizens in their own country, because the Chinese invested in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the leadership of House of Representatives, presided by the Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu had during plenary, commended Hon. Nkwonta for proactive steps taken so far to forestall recurrence and referred the petition to the House Committee on Public Petition for further legislative actions.
Recall that Miss Ocheze Vivian Ogbonna, a crane operator working with Inner Galaxy Steel Ltd was allegedly murdered by her Chinese boss; Mr. Power for refusing his romantic advances.
Information gathered revealed that Late Miss Ogbonna had resumed night shift on Monday May 20, 2024 around 7pm.
The source disclosed that shortly after she mounted the crane which she has operated for several years, her boss; Mr. Power joined her and started making sexual advances on her.
“After a mild drama of rejection of sexual advances from Miss Ogbonna on the crane, Mr. Power pushed her from the crane and she fell from the height to her pool of blood.
“Miss Ogbonna was abandoned in her pool of blood without any prompt medical attention to save her life and she died around 12 noon the following day (May 21, 2024)”, the source further revealed.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, youths of Umuahala community engaged in a peaceful protest to express their grievance, but the company mobilized soldiers who were providing securities for them and the shot at the protesters; leaving Mr. Light Chimeko and Mr. Ahuruonye Nwachukwu of the same village with life-threatening injuries. The victims are receiving palliative treatment at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia Abia State.
The source said: “As if the two atrocities were not enough, the same Chinese instigated a worker to stab to death one of our brothers named; Mr. Chimobi Dikeji, a native of Umuowaga Umuelechi, Ukwa-West LGA, Abia state, for condemning Mr. Power act of pushing down late Miss Ocheze Vivian Ogbonna from the crane”.
The remains of late Miss Ogbonna and Mr. Dikeji have been deposited at the Military Mortuary in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
They called on federal and state governments to intervene to avoid further breakdown of law and order in the oil-rich region.
