Edo govt shuts four Chinese companies over dispute with host communities

Edo state government has temporary shut down four Chinese companies’ premises to pave way for dialogue in the dispute between the companies and their host communities in Ikpoba Okha local government area of the state.

It also ordered staffs of the respective companies to stay clear of the premises until the matters are resolved.

The affected companies are Time Ceramics, Rhongsheng Glass Company, Rongtai Aluminium Company and Watson Doors Industry limited.

The community leaders had raised an alarm that the companies were not abiding by agreements contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the communities.

A statement signed by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s media aide, Crusoe Osagie, said  the leader of the government’s enforcement team and Director of Environment, Mr Godfrey Ehon, in the state Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, said government acted swiftly to sustain peaceful coexistence between the companies and their host communities.

“We are carrying out the directive of the state government because, for some time, there has been heightened tension in the community. The idea is to temporarily close down the companies so as to give room for dialogue with the host communities”

He explained that the intervention was aimed at inviting the community leaders and the companies for a dialogue so as to resolve their differences amicably.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer, Rongtai Aluminum Company, who identified himself as Mr.  Bunk denied the allegation, saying that the company maintains a good relationship with the community leaders.

“We have not received any complaint from the community leaders.  We have been meeting with them and also ensured that we meet our responsibilities to them,” he said.