News

Gov Eno Orders Relocation Of Chinese Firm Over Environmental Infractions

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2023

Editor

Charges manufacturing investors to move into the State Industrial Park

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state has ordered the immediate relocation of a Chinese manufacturing firm, Golden Tripod International Limited, located in Ikot Ebido Oku, Itu Local Government Area, in response to increasing public allegations of unhealthy emissions from its factory.

Eno as a fallout of Thursday’s flag-off construction of 2.2Km Tabernacle Road project gave the order to move the Chinese firm which deploys aluminum for production of brake pads for tricycles and motorcycles to the State Industrial Park as befitting location for such ventures.

The governor directed, “The Commissioner for Environment and Commissioner for Internal Security, I want to have a report on what this factory manufactures in the next 48 hours.

“I understand that there is always serious emissions around here. Please, first, find out what they do and immediately relocate them to the Industrial Park. It is not proper to site factories in the middle of a city”

Recall that the immediate past administration in Akwa Ibom had on July 2022 ordered shutdown of the firm’s operations for same violation of environmental standards.

The penultimate directive came after then Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Charles Udoh led team from his ministry, the State House of Assembly Committee on Environmental Pollution and Akwa Ibom Waste Environmental Protection Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) paid an unscheduled visit to the factory.

Angered by interrogation and demand by the state government fact finding team for necessary documents authorizing the company’s operations in the state , the managers had allegedly ordered their workers to attack the government officials.

The development which created tension in the area, led to arrest and subsequent arraignment of the firm’s Managing Director, Mr. Lin ZI and the Marketing Manager, Mr. Peter Yuan at the time.

Vanguard gathered that the state assembly had earlier invited the management of the company to appear before it following series of petitions from the host community, but the company had ignored the invitation.

Since the July 2022 encounter, the company had assured the State government that they would move out of the location even as they had pleaded for sometime to enable them move their heavy factory machines.

The failure of the firm to meet the relocation promise had increased the agitation by residents in the area who are worried that the delayed exit of the firm portents greater environmental dangers to the public, prompting the latest response from Governor Eno.

Urging investors in manufacturing in the State to utilize the designated lndustral Park, Eno assured, “We are going to fence it round, put police station there. We are going to put a power station there and make water available too. It will be like any industrial park anywhere in the world.

“The park has been partitioned into one 150 plots of between four thousand and five thousand square meters. What we are saying is that those who are ready to establish industries should come and analyse the kind of industry they intend to create.

“They will tell us the time frame and the number of people that will be employed, and we will then allocate lands for them.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.