August 5, 2011
AN OPEN APPEAL TO HIS EXCELLENCY BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE ON THE CONTINUOUS CLOSURE OF UNT PLC. IKORODU BY LAGOS STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (LASEPA)
UNT Plc Ikorodu is one of the surviving textile mills in Nigeria and West Africa sub region. The company currently directly employs as many as 3000 workers who are members of our union (National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria), that is in turn affiliated to Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Indirect employment as a result of the operation of this factory is in tens of thousands. UNT Plc. has been shut down since Tuesday July 26, 2011 by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) on alleged environmental pollution of the community river.
As a union and affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), we stand for both industrial development and environmental renewal and protection. We have at various fora acknowledged and saluted your Excellency for your administration’s untiring effort in all aspects of development of Lagos State. In particular, we commend your Excellency for your effort in the area of infrastructural development and in ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all the citizens of the state.
It is against this background that our National Executive Council (NEC) urgently appeal to your Excellency to use your good office to quickly intervene with a view of ensuring the immediate reopening of the company. We bear witness as partners of Lagos in development that necessary machineries are being put in place by the management of the factory with a view of ensuring a friendly industrial environment and clear the pollution in the community.
After more than two weeks of closure, there is an increasing desperation on the part of the management and our members who are workers of the firm that the current closure puts at risk their jobs and investment. We hereby request that Your Excellency intervenes urgently to order the immediate reopening of UNT Plc. Ikorodu and allow the management of the company and LASEPA to abide by the spirit and content of the action plan to meet the environmental challenge in the factory and the community. Reopening of the biggest company is a win-win option for Lagos state looking for investment, mass job creation and environmental protection.
While counting on your Excellency’s prompt intervention, please accept our appreciation and my personal best wishes.
Issa Aremu mni
GENERAL SECRETARY NUTGTWN/VICE PRESIDENT NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC)
