The world has been ravaged by the novel Coronavirus which crept in at the fade of the year 2019 and has since altered global normals since the beginning of the year 2020.
Businesses have had to grapple with low or zero patronage as the Federal Government of Nigeria and component states have ordered and implemented lockdowns of commercial and human activities.
Notwithstanding the dire circumstances, Inner Galaxy Steel Company Limited, doing business in Abia State, has risen to the occasion and engaged in unprecedented corporate social responsibility.
The Company was one of the first to donate relief materials to the Abia State Government through the Inter-ministerial Committee it set up to manage the pandemic and its effects in the state.
The Company has always used every available fora to extend its heartfelt appreciation to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for the love and concern he has shown for the success and progress of the company at all times.
Thus on April 3, 2020, representatives of Inner Galaxy Steel Company visited the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, who co-chairs the Abia State COVID-19 Committee and made huge donations of relief items.
Hundreds of bags of Rice, Cartons of Noodles, Tomato Paste, Biscuits, Disinfectants, Hand Sanitizers and Medical essentials were conveyed in large trucks to the Abia State Government to assist in rendering palliatives to the citizenry to tide them over this difficult period.
Making the donation, the Managing Director of Inner Galaxy Steel Company, Mr. Andy Lu, who was represented by the Corporate Affairs Manager of the Company, informed the State COVID-19 Committee that the donation was Inner Galaxy Steel Company’s way of assuring the State Government that the company cares about the people of the state.
Receiving the donations on behalf of the Abia State Government, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem thanked the company for their generous donation and commended them for their culture of corporate social responsibility.
Having donated to the entire state, the company decided to expand its ongoing periodic assistance to their host community and neighbours communities. It should be noted that the company already has a practice of engagement with the local community on a regular basis where they donate various food items as well as engage in community development projects.
Thus, in the first week of May, 2020, the company visited 4 communities of Umuahala, Umuacheke, Umuire and Ahala Ukwu all in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State where they donated various relief materials consisting of bags of Rice, Noodles, Cooking Oils, Tomato Sauce, biscuits and beverages to the communities.
The Company is also set to extend the wave of assistance to other communities in Abia State in demonstration of its commitment to the welfare of the people of Abia State and in support of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu who has shown them uncommon support and hospitality since they commenced business in Abia State.
It is indeed gratifying to see companies take seriously, their corporate social responsibility mandate even when they are grappling with loss of business and attendant loss of revenue.
Inner Galaxy Steel Company, which began business in Abia State in 2015, operates out of an industrial cluster in Ukwa West Local Government Area. The company is engaged in the recycling of steel, plastic, bottles and all forms of waste which it then repurposes for use in various forms.