Ogun: Welders, Fitters picket coy over local content law

Members of the Nigerian Welders and Fitters Union (NIWELFU) Ogun State chapter, on Tuesday, staged a protest against Interfact Beverages along the Sagamu-Siun road, in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun State, over alleged inability of the company to obey local content policy. The protest, which began as early as 6.00am saw hundreds of […]

Members of the Nigerian Welders and Fitters Union (NIWELFU) Ogun State chapter, on Tuesday, staged a protest against Interfact Beverages along the Sagamu-Siun road, in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun State, over alleged inability of the company to obey local content policy.

The protest, which began as early as 6.00am saw hundreds of the union members barricading the main gate of the company.

The development temporarily halted traffic on the ever-busy road for several hours.

The state chairman of the Union, Comr. Ganiyu Lawal who addressed the protesters said the body could no longer tolerate the attitude of the company "in bringing outsiders into the company, against local professionals who are equally competent to carry out the required activities.

"We have written to appropriate quarters, including the state commissioner of commerce and industry, the NLC and others, yet, they decided to turn deaf years to our agitations," Lawal said.

The Chairman pointed out that the local content law "is there for all to see and follow. Even in South Africa, you cannot flout the law on local content law. So, if that cannot be done in South Africa, we cannot allow it here as well," he said.

The Public Relation Officer of the Union, Comr. Ola Atinsola-Jamiu said before the decision to go on the protest, "we have bear with the company, but, they seem to be taking our patience for granted, particularly, when one South African, identified as G1 vowed that company policy cannot be changed.

"We have to show that we are not dormant union. We are active. If that is the message they understand, we are here to show that," Atinsola-Jamiu said.

The protest, which also had the Lagos state chairman, Comr. Tunde Ajide in attendance saw the management calling for a truce, as activities were brought to comatose.

Efforts by our correspondent to get management reaction, was futile, as the Security Manager said, "the officer in charge is not authorized to talk to the Press, but, you can go to our headquarters in Lagos, if you want any comment."