The Member representing Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, on Thursday moved a motion seeking government urgent intervention to protect helpless Nigerians from discrimination in the hands of foreign nationals/employers on the floor of the House.
The PDP lawmaker noted that the majority of foreigners who are involving in anti-people policies and disrespecting Nigerian laws are Chinese and Lebanese nationals engaged in either construction industries or retailing businesses.
He recalled that the obnoxious policies of a Chinese construction company, Shaanki Construction Company, allegedly led to the death of one of its drivers, Mr A. Augustine, “with no care, empathy nor sympathy from the management of the company.”
Hon. Adepoju pointed out the “racist system being practiced by a Lebanese company known as Fouani Nigeria Limited, a retailer of Hisence electronics at their Idu Warehouse, Plot 791, Cadastral Zone 10, Idu Industrial Area, Abuja, where all rights/privileges between the workers/Nigerian customers and a class of people referred to as ‘white,’ up to and including the use of toilets/conveniences are utterly and strictly compartmentalised and segregated.”
He prayed the House to direct its Committee on Human Rights to investigate the two incidences and report back to the House within three weeks.
The motion read: “Notes that the Federal Government in its avowed and applaudable desire to boost the growth of the Nigerian economy has embarked on the policy of ease – of – doing business with its concomitant invitation and acceptance of direct foreign investments into the Country.
Further notes the the above sterling policy of the Government has opened a floodgate of foreigners into the country, some of who are embarking on policies and actions that are anti-people and in flagrant disobedience of our laws.
“Concerned that majority of foreigners who are involved in these unwholesome practices are Chinese and Lebanese nationals engaged in either construction industries or retailing businesses.
Further concerned that the above stated nationals are fond of employment of Nigerians on ad-hoc basis with no conditions of service nor any welfare or medical services, thereby violating the rights of their workers and the labour laws of the country.
“Saddened to recall that only as recent as 20th June 2023, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) picketed a Chinese construction company, Shaanki Construction Company at their site at New ECOWAS Secretariat, Airport Road, Lugbe, Abuja, over allegations of inhuman treatment and casualisation of its workers. The company’s obnoxious policies led to the death of one of its drivers, Mr A. Augustine, with no care, empathy nor sympathy from the management of the company.
“Further saddened by the real life apartheid racist system being practiced by a Lebanese company known as Fouani Nigeria Limited, a retailer of Hisence electronics at their Idu Warehouse, Plot 791, Cadastral Zone 10, Idu Industrial Area, Abuja, where all rights/privileges between the workers/Nigerian customers and a class of people referred to as “whites”, up to and including the use of toilets/conveniences are utterly and strictly compartmentalised and segregated.
“Worried that these apparent state of siege, exploitation and dehumanization of Nigerians by foreigners in our country is unacceptable and condemnable as it is nothing but a pull-back to the dark era of colonization and slavery.
Resolve to:
- Urge the Federal Government to be more alive to its responsibility to protect Nigerians, especially the masses, from abuse of their constitutional rights as citizens.
- Direct the Committee on Human Rights to investigate the above two incidences and report back to the House within 3 (three) weeks.”
