Afrigather We’ve learn numerous media accounts of the above in each the print and social media. We’ve additionally learn and align with the very applicable responses from Ogun State and the Federal Authorities. At totally different ranges, Authorities is a continuum and the varied segments of occasions resulting in this unlucky state of affairs occurred earlier than, throughout and after our administration…..CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Our administration assumed workplace on 29 Might, 2011. Very shortly after we took workplace, two totally different units of Chinese language corporations, Messrs China Africa Funding FXE and Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE laid claims to Administration rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Commerce Zone (OGFTZ). The enterprise dispute and rivalry between the Chinese language considerations quickly turned fierce, grounded seamless enterprise actions and threatened public peace and security throughout the Zone and neighboring communities.
Amosun
There have been claims and counter claims as to who between the 2 was the lawful consultant of the unique joint venturer, Guangdong Province, China and consequentially who had the precise to handle the Zone.
Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE, pretending to be a involved and real tenant and Zone stakeholder volunteered very damaging and damaging details about the official representatives of Guangdong Province, the Joint Venturer and lawful Zone Managers, China Africa Funding FXE and subsequently requested to be appointed as Interim Zone Managers.
Primarily based on the knowledge on the disposal of Goverment on the time, Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE was on 15/03/2012 appointed as Interim Zone Supervisor pending additional analysis. The entire concept was to make sure that somebody was in cost and thereby stop unwholesome and untoward improvement within the Zone pending the completion of our truth discovering train.
It was later found that the knowledge and claims volunteered by Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE in opposition to China Africa Funding FXE had been tissues of lies.
Unknown to Ogun Goverment on the time, Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE merely sought to de-market China Africa Funding FXE and to surreptitiously covert the State-owned belongings of Guangdong Province in China along with the Zone possession and administration rights of their enterprise rival.
It was additional found – a lot later – by the intervention of the Chinese language Authorities through Diplomatic Observe 1601, dated 11 March, 2016.
The Authorities of the Peoples Republic of China, through its Diplomatic Observe 1601 dated eleventh March, 2016 clarified to Ogun State Authorities, that China Africa Funding FXE was the rightful investor. After due session with the related organs of Authorities, we gave impact to the request of the Chinese language Authorities.
We do recall, that Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE approached Nigerian courts in numerous jurisdictions to ventilate its authorized and enterprise rights. They misplaced all their 4 instances in court docket.
We additionally consulted with and took recommendation from the State Safety Providers and the supervising Company, NEPZA, on one of the simplest ways to proceed. Accordingly, we served Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE with formal Termination Discover dated 27 Might, 2016.
For completeness of data, we should point out that Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE proceeded to Courtroom.
Amongst others, the proceedings in Swimsuit No HCT/417/2016: Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE Vs OGFTZ and, FCT/ABJ/CS/601/2016: Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE Vs NEPZA & Ors will assist to throw mild on this enterprise dispute between two Chinese language entities- Zhongfu and China Africa.
The ultimate judgement in a single different case, Swimsuit No AB/04/2017: Zenith World Service provider Worldwide Funding Ltd Vs Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE delivered on 29/3/2017 particularly restrained a reference to arbitration within the particular circumstances of the matter being a commerce dispute between two Chinese language entities- Zhongfu and China Africa, with little or no reference to both Ogun State or the Federal Authorities.
Not glad with the choices of the varied courts, Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE took its case, and wrote petitions at numerous instances, to greater authorities in Abuja; the Presidency, Hon Minister of Commerce & Funding; Legal professional Normal & Minister of Justice, Inspector Normal of Police, EFCC and the Nationwide Meeting (each the Home of Representatives and the Senate) amongst others.
We efficiently defended our actions in any respect ranges earlier than these organs of presidency, they usually all agreed with our place. Shortly after, our administration left workplace in Might, 2019.
In conclusion, with out prejudice to the continued efforts of the Ogun State Authorities and the Federal Authorities of Nigeria, and with all sense of accountability, I want to categorically state that:
The settlement that was entered into at inception of the Zone in 2007 with our predecessor is what remains to be in operation and there was no want for any negotiation or re-negotiation of any contract once we got here in and all through our eight (8) years tenure.
It’s also not true that our administration despatched police or any safety agent to harass, intimidate or beat anybody. If there was any such state of affairs, it should have been from among the many disputing rivals within the bid to outdo each other. Safety businesses can additional examine the allegation and uphold the reality.
Nigeria mustn’t give Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE any listening ear as doing so would quantity to indulging and, encouraging an illegal entity with out locus standi to applicable our widespread patrimony.
Stemming from the above, this matter of Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE ought to be handled the best way Nigeria handled the P&ID case. There is no such thing as a foundation for negotiation.
I’m able to work with the businesses of presidency in any capability to make sure that Nigeria is just not scammed by Zhongfu Worldwide Funding FXE, or some other entity.
Like each Nigerian, we’re involved {that a} purely enterprise dispute between two Chinese language nationals and companies have now degenerated into an illegal try and applicable Nigeria’s sovereign belongings.
That is unacceptable to all individuals of goodwill and should not be allowed to face.
*Senator lbikunle Amosun CON, FCA
Governor, Ogun State (2011-2019)
Senator, Ogun Central Senatorial District, (2003-2007 and 2019-2023)
