Featured
2019: Wike Tasks Organised Labour On Credible Polls …Flags Off NLC Secretariat, Kira-Nonwa-Eteo Road Construction
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on the organised labour to lend its voice to the demand for credible elections in 2019.
Wike also urged the organised labour to join other prominent leaders to seek the re-organisation of the nation’s security infrastructure for the safety of all Nigerians.
He spoke, last Friday, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when he granted audience to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba.
The governor said: “This country belongs to all of us. Labour can no longer keep quiet on critical national issues. Labour should lend her voice on the issue of the overhaul of the security architecture.
“Labour should come out strongly to ensure that the 2019 General Elections are transparent and credible. Credible polls will lead to greater service to the people by elected officials”, Wike said.
The governor said that security agencies should not be seen to be stealing ballot boxes during elections, noting that such actions negatively affect the country’s image internationally.
He wondered why some leaders of the ruling party insist that performance should not be the yardstick for re-election.
“If projects cannot make people return to office, what should make people return to office? I know that 2019 will not be as easy as they think, because people are warming up to resist any form of political manipulation and rigging. Workers should show seriousness, so that votes must count”, he said.
Wike assured the workers of Rivers State that his administration would continue to improve on their welfare.
Earlier, the National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba commended the Rivers State governor for investing in the development of the state.
Wabba said: “We have seen landmark achievements, especially in the area of projects. We also appreciate the commitment and support of the Rivers State Government”.
The NLC president commended the Rivers State governor for the regular payment of salaries and pensions, stressing that the regular payment of salaries lubricates the state’s economy.
“I thank the governor for the continuous payment of salaries when others give excuses. Workers salaries have multiplier effect on the system”, he said.
The NLC president urged the Rivers State governor to use the state chapter of the NLC to always interface with Rivers workers.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has flagged off the construction of the state Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Speaking during the ground-breaking event in Port Harcourt, last Friday, performed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Wike stated that the state government would also finance the construction of the Rivers State Secretariat of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Wike said that the state government was embarking on the projects in appreciation of the cordial working relationship with Rivers workers.
He said: “We have worked harmoniously with labour. They have not troubled this administration with unnecessary strikes. In order to build stability, we have set up a structure that will enhance the performance of labour.
“This project must be completed by December. I don’t want to hear excuses. The contractor has been mobilised. We will also build a secretariat for the Trade Union Congress”.
He said that the Bureau for Special Projects was handling the construction of the NLC Secretariat because the administration was committed to the delivery of projects in line with the approved specifications and schedule.
Wike announced that the one-month salary of health workers withheld due to their illegal strike would be paid because of the intervention of the NLC president.
He added that the results of accumulated promotion interview of teachers would be released to them, while that of other workers would be addressed in due course.
Performing the flag off, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba lauded the Rivers State governor for taking steps to improve the working condition of workers.
Wabba said: “This will go down in history as a landmark as you are one of the governors who has worked with labour for a better society”.
He said that the partnership between labour and the Rivers State Government would lead to faster development in Rivers State.
Wabba said: “Once workers are happy, they will put in their best, and the state will benefit in terms of development”.
The NLC president added that the congress was overwhelmed by the gesture of the Rivers State Government, which would advance the productive relationship between labour and the government.
“Workers and employers are supposed to be partners in progress. It is when we partner together that we will be able to deliver on our various mandates. This is commendable, and I urge that it should continue”, the NLC president said.
In her remarks, Rivers State NLC Chairman, Comrade Beatrice Itubo said that by constructing the Rivers State Secretariat of the congress, Wike has shown goodwill, which would be reciprocated by the workers.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Special Projects, Alabo George Kerley said Wike has enhanced governance through his projects’ revolution.
He said the new secretariat would be a modern three-storey building with a fortified foundation to carry five storeys.
It would be recalled that the Rivers NLC Secretariat was gutted by fire in 2015.
Since then, the congress has been operating in a makeshift apartment.
The event was witnessed by labour leaders and women groups, while different traditional dance groups entertained guests.
Similiarly, in continuation of its state-wide projects delivery, Rivers State Government, last Saturday, flagged off the construction of the Kira-Nonwa-Barayira-Sime-Eteo Road in Tai Local Government Area.
The 10.2-kilometre road cuts across Tai, Eleme, Oyigbo and Obio/Akpor local government areas of the state.
The Tide learnt that the road had been abandoned for 50 years by previous administrations.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike stated that all the 23 local government areas of the state have benefited from key projects in the last three years.
Wike said: “This is just three years, and we have reached the 23 local government areas. Let anyone come from any local government area, come forward to say that we have not executed project in his council.”
The governor commended the people of Tai Local Government Area for their patience over the years, noting that more projects would be executed in the area.
“You have been patient. By next week, you will get your commissionership appointment. There will be more projects for the people of the area”, he assured.
The governor advised the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to focus on addressing the security challenges claiming thousands of lives in the country, instead of investing resources on rigging elections in Rivers State.
The governor said: “No amount of distraction will stop me from working. I have a contract with the people, and I will fulfil the contract”.
Wike berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for having a factional chairman who is facing multiple murder charges because they want to cause bloodletting in the state.
Performing the flag off of the construction of the road, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio said God has endorsed Rivers State governor for rapidly developing the state.
Akpabio said: “Even God himself is happy with Governor Wike because of his good works. Propaganda cannot win a war. What wins a war are men and material on ground. For Governor Wike, his numerous projects will win the election for him”.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor stated that Nigerians need performing leaders like Wike as testified by the APC-led federal lawmaker.
Akpabio urged Wike never to be distracted by the criticisms of his political enemies, noting that the political foes of the Rivers State governor would only witness his political victory.
Also speaking, member of the House of Representatives representing Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency, Barry Mpigi said though he was a member of the APC, Wike deserves a second term on the basis of his performance.
Mpigi said Wike was the only person with the capacity to drive the growth of the state, adding that the issue of Rivers development transcends party affiliation.
In his remarks, Rivers State Works Commissioner, Hon Dumnamene Dekor said that the road would create 210 direct jobs for the people of Tai and Eleme local government areas, and also boost the economy of the areas.
The Gbenemene Tua-Tua Tai, King Samuel Nne said the people of the area were happy with Wike for his commitment to the development of the state.
The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.