Roche, the opportuned multi-national company that is executing nearly every contract in Imo state from clearing of grasses to building of toilets, since the inception of the Governor Rochas Okorocha administration, is said to be facing financial difficulties as it has stopped work at various sites in Imo state, and have laid off its workers.
However, a source from the company who spoke to Trumpeta denied that the Roche is bankrupt, but said that the company has some financial difficulties, owing to the fact that Imo State Government is owing it huge debts yet to be cleared.
Indications that all may not have been well with Roche began with the Company sacking many of its Workers, while some of the foreign workers left the state for their various Nations.
One of the Workers who was laid off told Trumpeta that things have not been smooth for the Company since July when Roche started finding it hard to meet its financial obligations. It was learnt that last week the Company sacked over one hundred staff.
Trumpeta learnt that Roche hardly employs staff on permanent bases, but prefers “casual workers” it could lay-off at any given time without much hassles.
Sources said the fortunes of the Company nose-dived recently, after Imo State Government reneged in meeting its agreement on payments to the Irish-owed Company.
Trumpeta learnt that in order to avoid hostilities from the sacked Workers, the foreign owners fled the state, leaving behind about two officers, to maintain a skeletal service for the Company, while waiting when things will improve.
Following the sorry situation, all the sites of the Company have been shut down including its Onitsha Road Industrial Camp.
The poor financial condition of Roche is reflecting on its jobs now as it has began to construct block class rooms, instead of the “casting” method it had been doing before the present financial headache.
But how could Roche be begging for cash, even as it is the favoured Construction Company in the state by the Governor, Rochas Okorocha?
Sources told Trumpeta that the general financial straits hitting the Federal Government has affected the state’s financial base, while many say that because of Governor Okorocha’s commitment to Anambra state election, where he is neck deep in returning Senator Chris Ngige of APC as the next Governor of that state, Governor Okorocha is allegedly said to have emptied Imo State Treasurer for this venture he sees as a major priority and a task to his own political survival in 2015.
While Roche passes through this financial sickness, the laid-off Workers are crying for their salaries, at least to take care of their families, whether Roche bounces back or not.
