The offices of GAC Nigeria Limited in Bonny, Rivers State have remained shut down for a week and disrupted its operations, especially, the shipping services it is providing to its clients, notably, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Limited (NLNG), amongst others.
The company’s facility at Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community close to the Bonny Roundabout and Cemetery were sealed as at the time Kristina Reports team visited the area.
Sources also hinted Kristina Reports that three of the company’s vehicles, three HiAce busses, were impounded and taken to Orosikiri Community playground where they were detained.
When Kristina Reports encountered the situation, the Heads of the Dan-Jumbo House and Banigo House, and Chairman of Jumbo Major House Elders Council, were contacted to ascertain which of them was responsible for the blockade which was effected by placement of fetish items at the entrance of the facility.
In his response, the Chief and Head of Dan-Jumbo House, Se-Alabo Clinton Dan-Jumbo, Jene IV, distanced the Jumbo House from such actions, saying “Jumbo House entirely is not involved; you should know that Jumbo House does not get involved in illegalities”.
Further checks by Kristina Reports revealed that youths of Banigo Chieftaincy House of Bonny Kingdom are responsible for the action which has reportedly cost the company loss of revenue and caused needless downtime.
When contacted, the Community Liaison Officer of GAC Nigeria Limited, Lionel Pepple accused the Banigo House youths of extortion, saying that they arbitrarily shutdown the company’s facility without any form of dialogue or engagement, demanding the payment of N5 million for rituals.
He stated that despite days of constant pleas, the Youth Leader of Banigo House, Victor Banigo insisted on the payment of N5 million, but later reduced it to N2 million and much later to N500,000, which the company paid into a bank account he provided, only to release the three vehicles while the office remained shut down.
“Even when I told them that the matter is subjudice and that their action of shutting down our company facility was in contempt of the court, they insisted on it. They said that place will only be opened when we pay the N5m.”
The Chief and Head of Banigo House, Se-Alabo Sotonye Banigo was yet to respond to Kristina Reports enquiries sent to his mobile lines.
The Youth Leader of Banigo House, Victor Banigo could be heard in voice notes made available to Kristina Reports by the company wherein he was demanding the sum of N5 million, claiming it was to be used to return “wetin we carry from village come”.
GAC Shipping, the parent company of GAC Nigeria Limited, is one of the world’s largest providers of ship agency, husbandry and support services to ship owners and operators.
This is a developing story and Kristina Reports will provide ongoing updates on the issue as they unfold.