By RICHARDSON DHALAI Monday, October 19 2009

A charitable organisation was yesterday met with stiff resistance by Nigerian security guards when it took food and water for 70 Chinese nationals at their living quarters in Cunupia.

This, as Members of the Art of Living Foundation cooked vegetarian lunches for the Chinese labourers and who at about 12.30 pm attempted to drive into the compound at Ramsaran Trace to deliver the food.

Accompanied by former Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran, the foundation’s members were barred from entering the compound by the guards who later relented letting them in.

The Chinese workers who are employed by the Beijing Liujian Construction Company, shot into the limelight when they assembled on the sidewalk of the Uriah Butler Highway in protest against non-payment of wages and inhumane living conditions at the camp.

Members of the foundation which is affiliated to the Raj Yoga Centre, arrived with Ramsaran at the iron gates at the camp’s entrance and asked to be allowed in. The guards, who are from Nigeria, told the group they could not come in at first.

“They told us we were not allowed in,” Ramsaran told Newsday yesterday. “How can foreigners come into our country and be allowed to treat people like this?

“This is a serious indictment on our laws and our government. Who is really in charge here when they are allowed to get away with this kind of thing,” Ramsaran said.

After much pleading with the guards, dressed in black trousers and cream shirts, they allowed the foundation members and Ramsaran to drive onto the compound.

The lunch boxes were then distributed to the men who sat outside their respective camp.

When Newsday visited the area yesterday morning, the steel gates were shut.

However, a narrow passageway at the far left corner of the gate was opened to allow people to enter and leave.

A few of the Chinese workers were seen leaving the compound with buckets while another worker stepped outside to briefly chat on a mobile phone.