Rivers Indigenes Protest Over Slavery In Ibeto

Rivers State indigenes working in Ibeto Cement Company, Port Harcourt yesterday, staged a protest march to the state House of Assembly, Moscow Road, to register what they described as “labour slavery policy” in the company.

The visibly angry workers, stormed the Assembly complex with various placards bearing inscriptions such as “Slavery in Ibeto Cement Company, please Save Our Souls, Our medical allowance is N5” and “Addah Williams and Darrick, stop collaborating with Ibeto management to enslave us”.

Speaking during the protest march, the leader of the group, Mr. Ebenezer Chuayekienka said they were in the state House of Assembly to express their feelings over inhuman treatment meted out to workers at the Ibeto Cement Company.

Mr. Chuayekienka stated that workers of the company, especially the indigenes of the state, were sacked arbitrarily without compensation, adding that the workers of Ibeto company are the least paid workers among Cement companies in the country.

He told the lawmakers that most of their colleagues have lost their sight as a result of consistent in haling of chemicals used in the company, adding that the workers are being paid the sum of N5,000 as medical allowance.

The leader of the group alleged that the state secretary of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Addah Williams stopped the workers from unionising in the company, claims that such act compounded the problems of the workers at Ibeto Cement Company.

He appealed to the state legislators to prevail on the management of Ibeto Cement Company, Port Harcourt to pay compensations to the sacked workers, and also improve their welfare.

Responding, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Dumnamene Deekor, who represented the Speaker of the House, assured the protesting workers that the state House of Assembly would take up the matter with the company.

Hon. Deekor warned that the state legislature would not tolerate any form of slave labour in the state, adding that such policy is capable of truncating the existing industrial harmony in the state.

He commended the workers for the peaceful protest and urged them to officially put up their request in writing so that the House can give the matter the urgent attention it requires.

When contracted, the state secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Addah Williams said the allegations that he stopped the workers from unionizing at Ibeto Cement Company was untrue and should be disregarded.

He assured that the state NLC is determined to protect the rights of workers in the state.

Meanwhile, the Personnel Manager of Ibeto Cement Company, Port Harcourt, Mr. Kingseley Kalio, refused to comment on the allegations when contacted on phone.