By TOMMY ANADUAKA
THE House of Representatives Committee on Industry, has expressed disappointment over alleged seizure and auctioning of 25 containers  belonging to an industrialist, Chief Innocent Chukwuma.

The committee said it was amazed by the action of the Nigeria Customs Service and have promised to wade into the matter.

The Committee on Industry which were on a working visit of Innoson Plastic Plant at Emene Enugu, was shocked when the Chairman of the Company, Chief  Chukwuma,  explained how the Customs impounded the components imported for the assembly of motorcycles by Innoson Nigeria Limited, which were later sold to unknown buyers without compensation to his company.

According to him, “My main problem now is how to settle the Banks that financed the importation”. My ordeal started in 2004 when the 25 containers valued then at N800 million were imported, but impounded and later sold by the Customs Service Officials.

I have gone to court to seek redress, judgment was delivered in my favour, but the Customs only paid 30% of the whole sum and refused to pay the balance. I have tried within my capacity to pay some part of the money to the banks that financed the business yet they are still threatening and harassing me with Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) officials.”

“My Motor Factory at Nnewi, Anambra State, the Plastic Plant and Motorcycle tube and tyre industry at Emene Enugu are suffering as a result of these unwarranted attacks. Honestly, my sympathy goes to over 7,000 workers in all these companies whose survival remains uncertain because of this sad situation. Ironically, this is happening in a country that is fighting the scourge of unemployment.”