The harmonious relationship between Udu Community, host to the Delta Steel Company, Ovwian-Aladja and management of the new investors in the plant, Premium Steel and Mines Limited, PSML seem to be heading for the rocks as Udu youths have threatened to declare war on the company over alleged marginalization of the host community and Urhobo people in the employment of staff to drive the resuscitation process of the Steel Plant.
In a statement signed by Dr. Denis Kpomah and Comrade Sunday Subi on behalf of Udu Youths, they handed a 14-day ultimatum to the company with effect from Friday May 5 to rectify the perceived lopsided appointment of management staff in the company or face the wrath of the youths. “We can no longer guarantee their peaceful operations or their continued stay in this kingdom’’, the youths warned.
According to Udu Youths, “since the coming of PSML, the company had enjoyed the best of cooperation from the kingdom with the hope that when the company eventually takes off, qualified persons from the area would secure employment. However, our expectations are being cut-short as the management of PSML has begun to treat Udu youths and the host communities with outright disregard and neglect. The company is partnering with non-natives to undermine the interest of the Udu and Urhobo people in the area of employment in the company by barricading our people from the mainstream of the company, through the appointment of non-indigenes into strategic positions. This is in total disregard for the local content policy in industrial relations”.
The statement added, “we hereby demand that management of PSML should meet with Udu leaders like the Udu Traditional Council and the Union of Udu Communities immediately for an MoU containing details of stakes in the plant by all stakeholders, the company should reserve key positions like the CSO, Chief Engineer, Human Resources Manager, Company Secretary for Urhobo people, all labour contracts are to be handled by Urhobo people; 70% of skilled labour should be given to Urhobo people and all outstanding obligations to contractors should be met. These issues must be addressed within 14 days, otherwise we can no longer guarantee the peaceful operations of the company or the continued stay of the company staff in Udu Kingdom’’.
They called on the federal and state governments to wade into the matter to forestall a breakdown of law and order in the area.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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