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HOS Advises Labour Unions On Due Process
Labour Unions in Rivers State have been advised to employ due process in handling affairs concerning the welfare of workers.
The Head of Service (HOS), Barr. Samuel LongJohn gave the advice on Tuesday when the Executive and Unit Heads of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt.
Barr. LongJohn, who was reacting to the purported 7-day ultimatum by Labour Unions, said it was improper for Labour Leaders to give an ultimatum to Government without his knowledge as Head of the State Civil Service, noting that he had been in office for over one month and no Labour Union had deemed it necessary to interact with him on ways of resolving issues affecting Civil Servants.
The Head of Service, who expressed disgust at their stance, pointed out that if they had found time to interact with him, they would have been informed of the efforts made at addressing their grievances, stressing that his office is supposed to be the first to know of any complaints by workers and would in turn present it to the Governor if the matter is beyond his powers.
“If you had come to me, perhaps you would have given me the benefit of doubt to see what could be done on the issue or how far we have gone”, he noted.
In response to some of the issues raised by the Union, the Head of Service said a process had been put in place to ensure that payslips are issued to workers two days before salaries are paid to enable them know the components of their salaries and detect errors or omissions.
On the implementation of GL. 17 for Directors and the tenure policy, the Head of Service said modalities on the implementation of GL 17 were being worked out while names of those affected in the tenure policy as well as the financial implications and accruing benefits had been compiled and submitted to the State Executive Council for final decision.
Barr. LongJohn said he would strive to work for the interest of workers adding that “anything that will benefit the Civil Servant is my first consideration”.
He assured workers who acquire higher qualifications of commensurate advancement and benefits but advised them to ensure they undertake courses relevant to their work schedule.
The Head of Service appealed to workers to exercise patience as everything was being done to address their grievances and called for suggestions on ways to move the service forward. “Anything that you think we need to do to move the service forward, please bring the idea up, the Head of Service is not a repository of knowledge”, he stressed.
He, however, said that gossips would not be condoned and hinted that he was working on the idea of setting up suggestion boxes to be mounted at strategic locations to encourage Civil Servants proffer ideas on ways of improving the Service.
Earlier, the Chairman of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Opuoyibo Lily-West congratulated the Head of Service on his appointment and assured him of their loyalty and support.
He used the forum to inform him of the 7-day ultimatum given to the State Government in reaction to the bulk deductions from workers salaries as well as other issues bothering Civil Servants which include stagnation and non-advancement of officers who had acquired higher qualifications, implementation of GL 17 for Directors, tenure policy and advancement of Executive Officers to GL. 15, payment of arrears of promotion, salary relativity and N18,000 minimum wage, among others.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.