Niger Delta
Ministry May Intervene In Asaba Workers Strike
The Federal Ministry of Health, has been urged to intervene in the controversy which led to the strike by health workers in the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba.
The Medical Director, FMC, Asaba, Dr Leo Erhunmwunsee made the appeal in Asaba last Friday.
Erhunmwunsee, said that the activities in the hospital had been grounded for the past two weeks.
He explained that the health workers union proceeded on indefinite strike from mid-night of June 7.
“This followed the implementation of non-skipping of a particular grade level in a recent promotion in the hospital,’’ he said.
He said that the management tried to broker peace with the striking workers by explaining that it was only implementing the ministry’s directive.
“But the meetings ended in a deadlock. The workers insisted that the directives from the ministry should be ignored.
“We have also written to the Minister of Health that we have implemented the directive.
“So, we are waiting for the ministry to intervene; to reverse the order or not. I don’t have the capacity to reverse a ministerial directive.’’
He stressed that a committee had been set up to address the issue of skipping or not skipping the grade level in question.
“But the ministry has directed that the hospitals should implement its directives. That Grade Level in question is Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) 10.
“The workers want government to revert to the previous status by skipping CONHESS 10.’’
Mr Anthony Asiodu, the Chairman, Joint Action Committee, FMC, Asaba, said the strike was to demand for their rights.
He said that the hospital’s management held onto the release of their 2011 promotion result and other entitlements.
He said that the workers proceeded on indefinite strike when the promotion result was released without skipping the CONHESS 10.
He added that the workers had resolved not to go back until the management reversed its decision.
“The civil service rules say that as soon as you get to Grade Level 10, your next promotion moves you to Grade Level 12. There is no Grade Level 11.
“We have met with the Asagba of Asaba. We have explained ourselves. We were thinking that by now this matter would have been resolved.
The scheme of service says that we must move from Grade Level 10 to Grade Level 12,’’ Asiodu said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.