NCCN Is A Subsidiary Of A Chinese Company

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Contrary to recent media reports that a firm, North China Construction Nigeria Limited, NCCN, had nothing to do with the Chinese Government, P.M.EXPRESS reports that investigations had actually revealed that NCCN  was actually a subsidiary of the Chinese Government. It was also revealed that the approved North China Construction Group Co. Ltd is an ‘AAA’ creditable enterprise with high qualification in building.

This came on the heels of alleged claim by governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh that the Chinese government had nothing to do with the ownership of the firm.This allegation was perhaps, an attempt to join issues with the company which is currently engaged in the construction of the New Central Secretariat of Delta State in Asaba.

During the investigations, findings at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) revealed that the Office of the Consulate of the Peoples’ Republic of China in Lagos had on March 12, 2013 written to the Director General of Corporate Affairs Commission intimating the Nigerian government about the status of the company in China. It stated clearly that North China Construction Group Co. Ltd was an ‘AAA’ creditable enterprise with high qualification in building.

The letter stated further that North China Construction Group Co. Ltd was a legal Chinese corporation undertaking businesses related to construction. The Consulate General of the Peoples’ Republic of China confirmed the agreement on its establishment of the company in Nigeria with the named NCCN Limited and North China Construction Group Co. Ltd with approval of the Chinese Government.

Further revelations from our investigation showed that the North China Construction Group Co. Ltd had its home office at Guangsha Road, Diaxing District, Beijing, China.  The company was a Chinese National Design, Engineering, Construction, Decoration and General Contracting special grade enterprise with qualifications and experience. It specialized in such areas like road construction and design, design and construction of bridges, airports, sea ports, rail, power and other high end steel works including city design, sewage works, drainage and alternative energy.

The company’s over arching objective was “spreading the culture of science, engineering and innovation while adhering to the global best practices in Environmental, Social and Governance Standards (ESG).”  It also promotes the economic and socio-cultural ties between Nigeria and China in the Spirit of Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

It was gathered from government sources in Asaba that ostensibly based on the high profile status of the North China Construction Group Co. Ltd and its subsidiary; North China Construction Nigeria Limited that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration engaged it as a major contractor in the construction of the New Central Secretariat in Asaba, the state capital.

Some sources in Asaba who read the said interview granted by Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh took a swipe on the allegation wherein he boldly remarked that the North China Construction Nigeria Limited has no business with government of China.They accused him of what they called unresearched, false and defamatory statement against Governor Okowa who is making serious developmental strides in Delta State.

They wondered why the governorship aspirant would ask readers of his interview to go to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to find out the owners of the Company whereas he did not take time to crosscheck what he called his facts. Our investigation at the CAC has shown that North China Construction Nigeria Limited had a six-member Board of Directors made up of five Chinese and only one Nigerian.  The Chinese nationals’ identifications of the Chinese Directors were in the incorporation documents of the company at the Corporate Affairs Commission.

A good number of sources in Asaba (who pleaded anonymity) while speaking on the interview granted by Cairo Ojuogboh were disappointed that somebody who had indicated interest in becoming the next governor of the state could make spurious and unsubstantiated allegations, all in an attempt to rubbish Governor Okowa who may want to seek a reelection in 2019. They contended that Nigerians should begin to demand a level of decorum and seriousness from people who aspire to exalted positions in the public sector, stressing that “it is too risky to leave our public offices to careless people who do not care about the reputation of others.”

They described Okowa as a prudent and highly civilized governor who cannot involve the state government in any contractual obligation with a company whose foundation or identity is obscure.  Dr. Ojuogboh’s allegation was therefore regarded as “tissues of lies and unbecoming of a man seeking an exalted office of a state chief executive.”

Describing the whole Delta State in present time as one big construction yard due to many ongoing projects initiated by the Okowa administration, the sources in Asaba said the New Central Secretariat was a well thought out project because it would eliminate the current huge cost being incurred by government on office accommodation for Ministries, Departments and Agencies that were scattered all over Asaba.

They added that having almost all the government departments in one place will encourage innovation and knowledge sharing as well as reduce the time of commuting from one ministry to another and the concomitant waste of valuable man hours. Enthused by what was on ground already, the sources contended that any friend of the state would advise the Governor to do a current head count of the civil servants and other officials for which the Secretariat will serve as offices and determine whether there is need to add more floors because the foundation of the building was an engineering master piece never seen in Delta State before now.

Investigations within the government circles in Asaba had also revealed that the New Central Secretariat construction was being partly financed by North China Construction Group Co. Ltd and its subsidiary, North China Construction Nigeria Limited.  The Secretariat was planned to be a master piece and one of the best in Nigeria upon completion.

The governorship aspirant’s allegation was therefore considered wicked, libelous and callously defamatory instead of choosing a path of honour to appreciate the good foundation Governor Okowa had laid by partnering a high end engineering group like the North China Construction on multiple projects over a long term in order to spread the company’s culture of science and technology among Delta State youths.

“With such development in place , youths who are currently working with Chinese expatriates would in the next few years either as individuals or in small groups own small construction firms that can really fix things unlike the current situation where there is dearth of good bricklayers, plumbers, mechanics, electricians and so on” they emphasized.

Based on this new development, Governor Okowa has been advised not to join issues with those whose stock in trade is mudslinging but to remain focused on his administration’s developmental initiative in line with his SMART agenda.