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Wike Slams Public Hospitals Over Non-Remitance Of Funds …As 20,000 Auto-Technicians Endorse Gov For 2019

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has accused the management of public hospitals in the state of not managing the health facilities profitably, saying they have failed to remit money to the state government.
The governor stated this yesterday when the leadership of Nigerian Authometrics Association, Rivers State Chapter paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt .
Wike regretted that inspite of the fact that the administration spent $ 8 million to re-equip the state-owned Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH), not a kobo had been remitted to the government.
He stated that each Chief Medical Director of the public hospitals see their position as opportunity to have a turn.
He also disclosed that medical doctors have failed to pay back the revolving loan scheme floated by the state government.
The governor noted that the state had expected the doctors to use the fund wisely. Their failure to pay back the loan changed the impression normally have that doctors are responsible gentlemen and ladies”.
He thanked the Nigerian Authometrics Association for the body’s free eye examination for children, saying the initiative would collaborate efforts of the government in improving and delivering health care to the people.
Wike who had wished the scheme was extended to involve adults as beneficiaries, urged people of the state to take advantage of the free eye examination for children to improve their eye condition.
He assured the association of the state government’s support to their 50th Anniversary in the state.
Chairman of the association, Dr Lucky Kina, appreciated the impressive performance of Wike’s administration in all sector.
Kina noted that the Mother and Child Hospital, three special hospitals being constructed in each of the three senatorial districts of the state, robust primary health attention as well as other health infrastructure implemented by the present administration would improve the health standard of the people of the state. He equally lauded the governor for floating the revolving loan scheme for doctors in the state.
The chairman of the association informed the governor of the 50th anniversary of the association in the state, adding that the body has floated the scheme “My Sight, My Right.”
He said the initiative would provide free eye examination to children between 5-14 years and will hold last Friday of the month till November, 2018.
Earlier, Chairman of Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, Rivers State Branch, Comrade Stanley Amadi, had announced the endorsement of Wike for a second term.
He said 20,000 mechanics working in Rivers State would work hard to ensure that the governor emerges victorious at the polls in 2019.
Amadi said that the endorsement of Wike was to allow him complete all ongoing projects and consolidate on the gains of his first term.
Highpoint of the occasion was the decoration of the Rivers State governor as a grand patron of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, Rivers State Branch.
Chris Oluoh
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RSG Commits To Workers’ Welfare …. Calls For Sustained Govt, Labour Partnership

The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
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Labour Unions In Rivers Call For Improved Standard Living For Workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
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Tinubu committed to unlocking Nigeria’s potential – Shettima

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.