By Aniefiok Christopher
As protests continue to rock Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company Limited in Awa Iman, Onna Local Government Area, its Managing Director, Mr. Akin Oyediran has threatened to shut operations of the company.
The company is one of the 20 industries established by the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration but allegedly touted to be owned by the state government.
Angered by the avalanche of protests rocking the company in recent times, Oyediran declared to shut the company ”if the repeated cases of protests against the company by the host community are not curtailed.’’
Youths from the host community comprising Awa Iman, Awa Nkop and Awa Atai had recently barricaded the entrance of the company for hours and demanded immediate sack of the Managing Director over allegations, which according to him, are frivolous and detrimental to the growth of the company.
The protesting community stakeholders as well as respective signatories of the company’s MOU had in a strong worded letter addressed to Mr. Oyediran, dated 17th September, 2021, asked the M.D to immediately vacate his office or be ready for a continuous protest until their demands are met.
Living to their words, hundreds of youths from the host communities, backed by some chiefs of Awa Village Council, had about weeks ago barricaded the gates of the company.
Among other allegations leveled against Oyediran were cases of ill-treatment against workers in the company, especially those from the host community, outright sacking of staffers without recourse to due process and favouritism to female folks in the company with ulterior motive.
They also cited cases of disrespect/disregard to the directives of the respective Village Heads who are equally signatories to the company’s MOU, all to detriment of the community and the state at large.
In an interaction with Straightnews correspondent who visited the Turkish company, Mr. Oyediran explained that the Syringe Company is 100 per cent owned by private investors.
According to him, the company has fulfilled all the agreements reached between the company and the host communities.
He who debunked claims of ill treatment against workers, said majority are from the host communities, attributing misunderstandings against the company to external forces some with ulterior motives.
While acknowledging that the matter is currently under control, he however expressed fears that any further disturbances may force the investors to either shut down operation or perhaps relocate the company to other parts of the country.
He appreciated the state government’s effort in providing the enabling environment, and sought a synergy from the host communities, which according to him, are equally beneficiaries of the investment.
Already, the company is producing about 2.5 million syringes daily and more than 400 million syringes annually, making it the largest producer in the sub-Saharan Region.
