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May Day: Labour Laments Rising Insecurity; Nigerian Workers Demand Improved Welfare …Amaechi Tasks Labour On Corruption, Injustice
The Organized Labour in Rivers State has lamented the high level of insecurity and killings in the country.
Speaking at this year’s May Day celebration at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, State Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Chika Onuegbu said the May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world to mark the economic and social achievements of workers.
Onuegbu said the event should be used as an opportunity for the workers to reflect on the many sacrifices of working people in the struggle for freedom dignity, social justice and egalitarian society.
He said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Building Enduring Peace and Unity: Panacea for Sustainable National Development”, which is at the core value of the Organized Labour Unionism was apt because it encourages the consciousness of oneness while reflecting soberly on the challenges ahead.
He said that peace was not just in the absence of war, or some détente, but epitomised by the atmosphere of tolerance, harmonious co-existence and social justice which are necessary for sustainable national development in the country.
The Labour Leader said peace is at the epicentre of personal and national development, stressing that it provides the basis for sustainable national development.
He likened the relationship between peace and sustainable development to two-way traffics, adding that there cannot be any sustainable national development, without peace.
Onuegbu said the organized Labour has noted that hardly does any day pass in the country without the report of a major violent crime or massacre of Nigerians by Nigerians or coordinated by Nigerians.
He said Labour was deeply saddened that life in the country has become nasty brutish and short, and likened the situation to that of Somalia and Afghanistan.
He said this general insecurity has also seriously increased the cost of doing business in the country, diverted investments and negatively impacted on the already bad unemployment and poverty situations in the country.
The union boss said the violent conflicts and senseless killings across the country will continue to deny Nigeria the highly needed Foreign direct investments (FDIs) and development.
He urged the Labour Leaders to accept that the situation in the country now requires the active collaboration of all Nigerians irrespective of religious, political and ideological inclination.
In Osogbo, Osun, the workers called for improved welfare package and prompt payment of salaries.
A cross section of public and private workers told newsmen in Osogbo that their current monthly emoluments hardly took them home.
They said that only attractive salary, good working condition, training and retraining of workers could guarantee enhanced productivity.
The Osun NLC Chairman, Alhaji Saka Adeiyan called for a review of the salary structure of workers in both public and private sectors so as to meet the present economic situation in the country.
Adesiyan said that if there was an increased in the workers’ salaries, it would enhance productivity as well as improve the standard of living of workers.
He said better salary structure as well as good work environment would go a long way in assisting workers to meet their responsibilities.
A civil servant, Mrs Sherifat Balogun said government must ensure prompt payment of salaries and better working condition for workers.
“We want to use this year workers’ day celebration to appeal to the state government to see to prompt payment of salaries as well as better work condition,” Balogun urged.
On his part, TUC Chairman in the state, Mr. Oladele Adetunji criticised casualisation of workers in some government establishments and the private sector.
Adetunji said the union would continue to struggle for better working conditions for employees.
He also said that the union would resist attempts by government or private organisations in preventing their employees from unionism.
In Dutse, the NLC called on the Federal Government and other parties to embrace dialogue as a lasting solution to the security challenges facing the country.
The NLC Chairman, Mr Sulaiman Adamu, made the call in his speech at the 2014 May Day celebration in Dutse.
“Due to the insecurity ravaging the country, especially the North, we call on the Federal Government and other parties involved to embrace dialogue in order to bring lasting solution.
“They should consider the lives and property of the people above their interests so as to allow peace to reign,’’ Adamu said.
Adamu said the state NLC suspended holding rally and any form of celebration in order to sympathise with the parents of abducted Chibok secondary school girls and Nyanya blast victims.
He said the congress had reviewed the performance of the state government in the last one year, and acknowledged that it had provided adequate working materials and training of civil servants.
The chairman described the performance of the state government as “remarkable”, saying that it had created conducive working environment for the civil servants.
Adamu, however, urged the government to employ more youths in the state so as to fill the vacuum created by retirement and death of civil servants.
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has urged workers to be hopeful for a better nation in spite of the challenges facing the country.
This is contained in statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
He congratulated the workers for their solidarity and contributions to the development of Nigeria.
“On behalf of CAN and my family, I wish to congratulate millions of Nigerian workers on the occasion of Workers Day 2014.
“The situation in the country today may not be one that brings much joy to the mind of the Nigerian worker.
“But I urge all workers not to despair but to have faith in their beloved country and continue to work hard for peace, unity and development.
“The message on this occasion is one of hope, unity, understanding and support for our great country because we do not have another country of our own.’’
He urged workers to see the present challenges as surmountable hurdles to the nation’s quest for greatness.
The president called on Nigerians to remain resolute and steadfast in their service to humanity and to God, regardless of the temptations, assuring them that God was in control.
“Our society is confronted with a myriad of problems ranging from social, economic, religious and political issues that require the commitment and prayers of all citizens.
“The challenges are numerous but not insurmountable, we may face difficulties today but I can assure you that God is on the throne’’, said the statement.
It stressed that in times like this, Christians and Muslims must not relent to pray to God for His intervention.
It appealed to workers not to succumb to the antics of divisive elements in the country, particularly the insurgents, no matter the provocation.
Oritsejafor, in the statement, prayed to God to continue to console the families of deceased workers that lost their lives in the Nyanya bomb blast and to grant the injured a speedy recovery.
He said CAN would continue to identify with workers by making case for better working environment/conditions.
“CAN will continue to identify with the Nigerian worker regardless of their social, religious or political status.
“We will continue to support them through their unions and associations.
The statement called for support for security agencies to end the menace of terrorism in parts of the country and called for calm as government continued to tackle the situation.
It, however, called for a review of strategies to quickly end the ‘reign of terror’ in parts of Nigeria.
CAN recently donated N500,000 to the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), for its members recuperating from the Nyanya bomb explosion.
L-R: President, Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, a retiring Supreme Court Judge, Justice Christopher Chukwuma-Eneh and his wife, Mariam, at the Valedictory Court Session in Honour of Justice Chukwuma-Eneh at the Supreme Court in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Philip Okparaji
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.