The Managing Director of the Company, Engineer Sarkis Gabriel made this known in his office at the Company’s premises while interacting with Clan/Village Heads and representatives of the protesting youths from the host communities yesterday, Monday 1st June, 2015.
Engr. Gabriel said RAYCON has spent huge sum of money to pacify the host communities and maintain a peaceful co-existence between the company and the host communities by providing social amenities like boreholes, road rehabilitation, distribution of exercise books as well as purchase latest model of machines to guarantee environmental friendliness devoid of pollutions or any environmental hazards in the area.
Read-Protest in RAYCON Construction Company
He added that apart from employing a large number of youths from the host communities to work as skilled labours, RAYCON also offered employment to some graduates from the areas who are currently heading some management positions in the construction firm. He called on Village Heads of the host communities to appropriately recommend any member of their communities who have the necessary qualifications to for employments in various management positions of the company.
Engr. Gabriel frowned at the actions embarked by the youths, which he said was a deliberate attempt to give a bad reputation about the Company to the government and the general public.
Presenting a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which states a 14-points agreements made between the Company and the host communities, signed by the Village Heads of Odiok, Akon and Mbiabong, the Personal Assistant to the Managing Director of Raycon & Co Mr. Tony Udoma clearly pointed out that the twelve million naira (N12m) environmental hazard compensation demands from the youth was not stated in the MOU and there was no such agreement between the Company and the host communities to pay such amount as compensation. He further stressed that the Company had ensured that machineries are put in place and inspected by the Federal and State Ministries of Environment to check any environmental or health hazards for the betterment of the host communities.
As part of their social responsibilities to the host communities, Mr. Udoma said the company has initiated and executed the in-house training scheme for indigenes of the host communities as well as ensure that they are paid their salaries throughout the duration of their trainings.
He further stated that Raycon & Co had issued out thirty thousand (30,000) copies of exercise books to school children in the area, and also provided funds for the hosting of a football tournament between host communities but the match was never played as the people used the money to enrich their pockets.
He reiterated that irrespective of the protest and allegations by the youths of the host communities, the Company would not condemn the communities because it is not the entire members of the communities that are engaged in the act, but just a small section of youths.
Responding, the Clan Head of Itam, His Royal Highness, Edidem Donald Udoh frowned at the protest, saying that any other demands made by the host communities which were not clearly stated in the MOU should go through proper negotiations with the Company rather than resorting to violence and protest.
The royal father sued for peaceful conducts from the people and urged them to avoid sending wrong people to represent the host communities and benefit from the largesse from the Company.
At the end of the meeting, the Company and the host communities resolved to be meeting twice a year to dialogue and chart a way forward in order enhance a peaceful coexistence.
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