Groups protest non-inclusion of local content in C/River N12bn project

Two bodies, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties and Concerned Citizens of Cross River State, have separately protested the alleged non-inclusion of local content in the execution of the N12bn International Conference Centre in Calabar.

The conference centre, which is located in the TINAPA Free Trade Zone, is expected to have a 200-room four star hotel, 5,000 sitting capacity hall, 100-bed multi-purpose hospital, 284 housing units, 18-hole golf course and a parking space for 800 cars, among others.

However, the state CNPP, in a letter by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Austin Ibok, which was made available to our correspondent on Saturday, alleged that the major companies involved in the construction of the project had deliberately used non-indigenes as workers, and ignored the input of local contractors/suppliers.

The CNPP said, 'We wish to draw your attention to a strategic policy of exploitation of Cross Riverians for the advancement of non-indigenes.

'This is obviously manifest among contractors handling mega projects in Cross River State, whose policy is to recruit workers from other states for positions, which ordinarily Cross River indigenes possess requisite qualifications and experience.'