City Crime
We’ll Do More With Your Support, Fubara Assures Rivers People
…Vows To Deliver Standard Healthcare Facility In Degema
RIvers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration would not be distracted in its bid to give Rivers people the best that will improve the quality of lives in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen shortly after being conducted round the entire premises and structures of the Zonal Hospital, Degema Town in Degema Local Government Area on Saturday.
According to him, nothing will ever distract the attention of his administration to take its eyes off the ball in ensuring that Rivers people get the best that will improve the quality of life that they lead.
The governor noted the concern over the absence of a befitting healthcare facility in the area, but stated that the right things and steps are being taken to address the situation.
He emphasised that his administration was giving greater attention to issues of healthcare, education and agriculture so that Rivers people can access quality services from those key sectors.
The governor said: “We are here this afternoon, just like what happened yesterday (Friday), and if you could remember, I said part of our areas of concern, going forward, will be healthcare services.
“And yesterday, I did mention that we were on inspection to check the Bori Zonal Hospital covering that particular senatorial district, and will also go and see those in Degema, Ahoada and Omoku.
“But, we are here in Degema today to assess the level of work ongoing. As you can see, we don’t have a befitting and standard healthcare facility here. And that is why we need to put this place in order to make it standard.”
Fubara explained further that, “Part of the areas that have just been explained to me on my visit this afternoon is the area earmarked for staff quarters: doctors and nurses; areas that will be used to develop a modern mortuary and a laundry, because a medical facility must have a standard laundry.
“So, they have also shown me what they are doing, and the foundation for the laundry that is also almost completed.”
He assured Rivers people that they would not only get critical road infrastructure delivered to them, but that they would also be given other social amenities and services that will ensure wholesome protection for them including quality healthcare services.
He said, “Like I said, my target for 2025 is going to be healthcare, education and agriculture. This is just the start. We are here to assure our people that no matter what it is, we still have our eyes on the ball.
“I will urge the good people of Degema to continue to support us; that this government is purposeful and understands the needs of the people.”
The governor assured the people of Degema, Kalabari Kingdom, and indeed, the entire people of Rivers State that his administration would not compromise quality service delivery and good governance, just as it will not disappoint the people who painstakingly voted for him to govern the State.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has felicitated Muslim faithful as they celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, urging them to show love, tolerance, perseverance, patriotism and commitment to the growth and development of the State.
Governor Fubara, in a message in Port Harcourt, the State capital, urged the Muslim Ummah to use the lessons of the 12th day of the third month of Rabi’ al-Awwal to reflect on the core teachings of the Holy Prophet, and interceed for one another as exemplified by the sacrifices He made for humanity.
The Governor charged the faithful in the State and across the country to commit to ensuring that they continue to benefit from the genuine policies and programmes of government put in place to make live easy for all living and doing business in the State, without discrimination.
He said, “I, on behalf of the government and good people of Rivers State, heartily felicitate all Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid-el-Maulud celebration, to honour the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and urge for prayers for the revival and unity of Nigeria.
“The occasion, yet again, provides an opportunity to reflect deeply on the need for greater application of the Prophet’s teachings bordering on piety, charity, patience, resilience, justice and peaceful coexistence,” he added.
Governor Fubara assured the Muslim community in Rivers State, and indeed, all residents of the resolve of his administration to sustain the tempo of providing critical projects and social services to improve the quality of life of the people.
Workers in the nation’s telecommunication-s industry, under the aegis of the Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association, PTECSSAN, will today begin an indefinite nationwide strike over sack, and poor working conditions, among others.
Among the employees going on strike include field maintenance engineers, transmission engineers, customer service engineers, fibre engineers, and other critical staff.
There are fears that the strike could disrupt telecommunications services nationwide if not resolved quickly.
The Tide’s source gathered that PTECSSAN, has pending issues with no fewer than 39 telecoms servicing companies including the sack of three of its members by Specific Tools & Technology Limited.
The 39 companies provide critical support services to the telecommunications operators in the country.
The Tide’s source was informed that the union had earlier given a seven-day strike notice to the affected companies to address its demands or risk indefinite strike.
Among PTECSSAN’s demands include immediate recognition of the fundamental right of the employees to freely associate with the union, immediate recognition of the union as negotiating body for the employees on workers welfare and immediate remittance of membership dues into the union’s account as earlier provided.
The demands equally are immediate recognition of the years of service of these workers, immediate commencement of appropriate pensions deduction and remittance of same as required by the Pension Act, immediate approval of the National Health Insurance Scheme that covers the employees, their spouses and four of their dependents, immediate enrolment of Union members in the Group Life Insurance as stipulated in the Pension Reform Act 2004, Section 9(3).
The union is also demanding immediate implementation of leave and leave allowance in accordance with the international best practices, immediate negotiation on review of salaries of the workers to meet the economic reality in the country today, and immediate provision Operational Vehicles or in the alternative immediate negotiation on review of the Self Drive/Self Rental to meet the economic reality in the country today.
Also in the union’s demands are immediate stoppage of 24-hour job and introduction of work hours in line with the international best practices, immediate stoppage of work overload (combining passive tasks to theirs) on the workers, and immediate adherence to occupational health and safety for the workers in line with international best practices.
Announcing the commencement of strike, General Secretary of PTECSSAN Abdullahi Okonu said “We have made every effort to engage with employers, but our legitimate demands have been disregarded.
“This strike is a last resort to protect our members’ rights and well-being. We urge the public to understand our position and support our struggle for fair treatment.”
While pleading with Nigerians to bear with the Union throughout the period of the strike, PTECSSAN “assures that it will engage with employers and the government to resolve the issues, but the strike will continue until their demands are met.”