– Described Them As Enemies Of Community, Development
‘’The siting of AIFY Global Aluminum Company in our community is a very welcome development that we are fully in support of.
‘’Aside the numerous attendant benefits that will accrue to our people when it becomes fully operational, it is a development-oriented initiative that will enhance the socio-economic development of the community.
“The youths of Umuakali Naze in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, stated this while addressing journalists during a solidarity march and counter protest to dissociate themselves from what they described as ‘’the antics of some disgruntled and mischievous elements who think they can eat their cake and still have it intact’’.
Barr Okechukwu Ajoku, an indigene of the community who spoke on behalf of the landowners and protesting youths told newsmen that, aside whole heartedly welcoming the establishment of AIFY Global Company in their community, they are also staging the protest to counter what he described as an ill-motivated protest against Aify Global Company by those he alleged do not have stakes in the land on which AIFY built its factory.
Barr Ajoku, further stated that there were issues that are presently being streamlined. Hence, the community and Aify Global Company have prepared a Memorandum of understanding MoU that will soon be signed by both parties.
He wondered why the same group of people who he alleged supported former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s earlier move to take over the land are now raising false alarm.
He enumerated benefits that will accrue from the company’s location in their community to include, industrialization, creation of jobs, socio-economic development of the area, among other positive multiplier effects.
Responding to a question, Barr Ajoku said, ‘’as I speak to you now, the company has already initiated the process of employing some of our youths and will do more if given the necessary encouragements’’.
Some of the placards displayed by the youths had inscriptions like, ‘’we support indigenous investors, ‘’we welcome Aify Global Company in our community,’’ ‘’Aify Global is a genuine investor’’, ‘’we are disposed to settlement’’, ‘’MOU in the making, stop deceiving our youths’’, among others.
