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Chinese Construction Company and Nigerian Army Perpetrate Human Rights Abuses in Akwa Ibom

By on May 14, 2012

Chinese Construction Company Engaged in Human Rights Abuses in Akwa Ibom

Chinese nationals working with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) have been exposed by the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) for gross human rights violations in the South-south state of Akwa Ibom.

The discouraging security situation in the State specifically incessant kidnapping had warranted the state government to provide security for the foreign workers in the state. The security came in the form of personnel of the Nigerian Army. Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces are known for being extremely brutal to civilians and there are many documented cases including this Youtube video depicting a woman Uzoma Okere being beat by personnel of Nigerian Navy.

The CLO has documented cases including photographs of cruel and unusual punishment and torture being meted out to Nigerian laborers working for Chinese firm CCECC. The laborers despite being under-compensated for their work, were also beaten by the Chinese personnel as well as by members of the Nigerian Army on orders from their Chinese “bosses”.

The following is a chronicle of events released by CLO, Akwa Ibom State Chairman, Clifford Thomas. It names the Chinese personnel indicted in the human rights violation allegations.

“It is sad to note here that amongst several firms owned by foreigners doing businesses in Akwa Ibom, nay, Nigeria, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) appears to have condoned and encouraged the wanton abuse and gross violation of the very essence of living decently – the fundamental rights of those working with them.

1.     Mr. Mor vs Emaeyak Bassey Edem
A certain Mr. Mor, a Chinese staff of CCECC had on 28th of March, 2012, ordered a soldier attached to the security unit of the company in Ibesikpo, to abduct Mr. Emaeyak Bassey Edem, a tipper driver from Ikot Oduot. They took him to CCECC’s yard in Mbierebe Akpawat, at gunpoint, a distance of eight (8) kilometers. At the yard, the said Mr. Mor, instigated the armed soldiers to beat Mr. Edem mercilessly, forcing him to lie on the hot floor, face-up, and kept flogging him to look at the sun in that position, between 9 O’clock in the morning till 2 O’clock in the afternoon. The beatings, including using gun butts, continued until the victim passed out by some minutes past 2p.m.

During the process of his ordeal, the soldiers reportedly dispossessed him of the Eighteen Thousand Naira (N18,000),  in his possession. The dehumanization of this Nigerian on the instigation of this foreigner without the benefit of due process (the police and the justice delivery system of the country) is totally unacceptable, and highly condemnable.

According to the police extract, it was reported that “deep bruises, inflammation and lacerations (were seen) all over the body …” The report was issued by the Ibesikpo Asutan Divisional Police Headquarters. The victim is still very sick, suffering the deprivation of his economic, social and civic rights.

2. MR FER GOA
Mr. Fer Goa is a site supervisor with CCECC in its operations in Akwa Ibom State. Investigations show that aside from complaints of extortion of money from suppliers of the company’s supplies, this Chinese national is notorious for physically assaulting Nigerians working for CCECC. He personally beats workers with a blue-coloured chain, forces them to frog-jump, kicks some of them on their buttocks (and their scrotum sometimes), and generally dehumanizes them against identified provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria.

A recent incident occurred when he physically molested, assaulted and beat a certain Mr. Okon Matthew, a metal artisan (employed as an iron bender), for reasons he could not explain. He forced Mr. Okon to convey six (6) cape stones at a go, while others were made to carry only two (2) . On another occasion, he compelled Mr. Okon (his victim) who was employed in the metal works division, to dig heavily compacted ground for three days, while still visiting inhuman treatment on him. Though the company initially denied the incident when it became public knowledge, Mr. Okon’s Time Card which shows evidence of his consistent presence at work while undergoing the inhuman treatment from Mr. Goa, was stolen by Mr. Goa’s agents in CCECC while at the office of the State Security Service (SSS) office in Uyo. This was an attempt to deny him of his daily wages.
3.   BRUTALIZATION AND DEHUMANIZATION OF INDIGENOUS WORKERS.
Two unidentified Nigerian workers were stripped naked, beaten, poured thick condemned oil on the authority of Chinese staff of CCECC by more than six (6) soldiers attached to the security unit of the company. They were dehumanized in the most brutal form, in February 2011. Having stripped the men naked, beaten them, they were both immersed in very thick condemned oil. Their offences could not be explained, though as an after-thought, one of the soldiers claimed that the workers stole from the company. The soldier reported claimed very shamelessly, that it was with the consent of the victims that they were being ill-treated; to avoid being sacked.

CONCLUSION
Did the state fail to protect its citizens in violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended? Is it proper to use soldiers in the security convoy of private citizens and residents of Nigeria, like is done in Akwa Ibom State for construction firms; who in turn use these soldiers to unleash terror upon Nigerians? Does it not amount to “over awing” the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for Chinese road technicians (and others) to have soldiers as their ADCs, when even the Vice President of Nigeria has a police officer as his orderly?

CLO, enjoins all human rights organizations, civil society and persons and entities, to condemn the gross inhumanity meted out to these Nigerians. We call for justice for these victims. The culprits, whether Chinese, Nigerian, civilian, military or otherwise, must be made to pay for their crimes against humanity.”

 

One Comment

  1. ukoette

    July 20, 2012 at 8:00 am

    There are many instances of torturing happening in Nigeria. Nigeria has neocolonial govts. and law enforcement operatives. I would’t be surprise if foreigners disparage Nigerians with impunity because they have overt and covert support from whatever operates as govt.