News
ANAMCO Staff Protest Planned Shut-Down
Tension is now mounting at the multi-billion naira Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company Limited (ANAMCO), Enugu, Enugu State, as the striking workers of the company have vowed never to go back to work until they know their fate on the alleged proposed plan to close down the establishment come January next year.
Following the development the aggrieved workers have called on the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to as a matter of urgency commence investigation into the alleged financial fraud running into millions of naira against the former plant union chairman of the company, Mr. Nath Anike, and the Managing Director of AMAMCO, Jacques Gelin and some other principal officers of the Company.
According to some of the workers who spoke to newsmen in Enugu on condition of anonymity information reaching them had it that the automobile outfit has already concluded plans to close shop in Nigeria come January 2010 with a view to relocating to Germany without any arrangement whatsoever to pay them their gratuity and other entitlements.
In a petition tagged “Petition Against Former ANAMCO Plant Chairman Mr. Nath Anike”, jointly endorsed by the company’s plant Union Interim Chairman and the Secretary, Messrs Nwagbara Frank and Nweke John respectively, dated October 7, 2009, copied to the company’s chairman, Board of Directors, BPE chairman, among other officers and made available to newsmen in Enugu, the workers accused Mr. Anike of misappropriating several millions of naira belonging to both the company and the workers.
The workers also alleged that the former plant chairman, had in May 2009 misappropriated the sum of 17 million naira belonging to workers as well as another 1.3million workers pension fund, calling on all the anti graft agencies in the country to take up the matter with every sense of seriousness.
The striking workers equally made it clear that the present worrisome state of the multi- billion naira establishment jointly owned by the Federal and some state governments was occasioned by alleged massive financial fraud that has been going on in the place for quite a long time.
They, however, wondered why the company should be making plans of closing shop in Nigeria without making any arrangement on how to pay them all their benefits when as a matter of fact , they have tirelessly put in scores of years in the company to ensure its progress and sustenance.
Meanwhile, a former Chairman of Association of Senior Staff of the company, Mr. Iheanyi Ogbonna, who also spoke to newsmen accused the managing Director of the company, of conniving with some officers to loot the organization’s treasury to the detriment of the workers, as well as the state and national economy.
Ogbonna regretted that he had written series of petition to various Anti corruption agencies in Nigeria in the past without result, appealing to the incumbent bosses of the anti graft commissions to rise up to the occasion and act now, adding that he had equally petitioned the National Assembly on the matter, insisting that there is urgent need to investigate the massive financial fraud that has been taking place in ANAMCO long , he declared.
However, the workers protest and strike has completely paralyzed normal activities at the automobile establishment located at the Emene Industrial Layout near the Akanu- Ibiam International Airport , Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
