City Crime
ASUU Strike: RSUST Ready For Dialogue
The management of
Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port
Harcourt, at the weekend gave indications of its willingness to engage the
striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the institution in
meaningful dialogue as a means of resolving their disagreements.
Speaking at the weekend in Port Harcourt, the institution’s Deputy Registrar/Public
Relations Officer, Mr Desmond Wosu was reported to have said that the
management of the university was now prepared to dialogue with ASUU and other
unions to restore peace and normalcy to the institution.
However,The Tide investigations last week revealed that
uneasy calm and uncertainty once again enveloped the RSUST, Port Harcourt,
following the strike action declared by
ASUU in protest against the re-appointment of Prof Barineme Fakae as the
acting Vice Chancellor of the university.
It would be recalled that the university’s ASUU had given
the state Governor and visitor to the university, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi
Amaechi a one-week ultimatum to reverse the re-appointment of Prof Fakae or
face industrial action.
It was crystal clear last week when The Tide visited the
university that ASUU had made good its
threat to embark on strike at the expiration of the ultimatum, penultimate
Wednesday, as there was no indication that all was well with the state-owned
university.
Indeed, an atmosphere of uncertainty, confusion and
apprehension hovered over the campus, as distraught students idled away.
While some gathered in groups particularly around the
Faculty of Engineering block, speaking in hush tones, others milled around
hopelessly.
There was nothing to suggest that teaching and learning or
other meaningful activities were going on at the university.
Several persons, suspected to be non-academic staff, were
also seen gathering around the Amphitheatre block, including stern-looking
security men, who were patrolling the area.
Opposite the block, two SOS vans were also strategically
positioned, facing the road.
The entrance of the Senior Staff Club was firmly locked, as
some security men were seen taking position within the premises of the club.
The club, which used to be a beehive of activities was
deserted, as senior lecturers of the university and other guests who used to
cool-off there after the day’s work, were nowhere to be seen.
Three lecturers who were seen directly opposite the club,
were , however, visibly agitated.
They lamented that an incident had taken place at the venue
where members of ASUU were holding a meeting last Wednesday, to apparently
review strategies of the strike.
They alleged that an unidentified young man in black attires
had invaded the venue of the meeting, and disrupted it in full glare of
securitymen who had positioned themselves inside the hall to monitor
proceedings as the ASUU meeting progressed.
Suspecting foul play, some ASUU members were said to have
whisked away the Chairman of the union, Dr Felix Igwe for fear of his life. The
Tide, however, could not confirm immediately reports and insinuations that Dr Igwe was brutalised and was being
hospitalised as a result.
However, the Deputy Registrar (Public Relations) of the
university, Mr Desmond Wosu told The Tide in an exclusive interview in his
office that ASUU had not notified the management of its intention to proceed on
strike.
While attributing the lull currently experienced in the
university to dangerous and unfounded rumours making the rounds concerning the
strike, he said the re-appointment of Prof Fakae, whom he said, had performed
creditably in office, was not enough to degenerate to industrial action.
Wosu also noted that Governor Amaechi did not make a mistake
by re-appointing Prof Fakae, saying, the re-appointment was the best thing that
had happened to the university.
According to him, Prof Fakae’s reappointment was done in
good faith, following his track record of achievements for the university since
2007 when he assumed office.
He listed the achievements to include the eradication of
cultism in the university, the introduction of e-learning system, which he
said, had placed the university on high pedestal, the full accreditation of the
university’s programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the
improved ranking of the university from 76th to 19th position.
He also indicated that the Fakae-led administration had ensured that admission into the university
was based on the carrying capacity
prescribed by NUC, to the extent that classrooms and lecture rooms were no
longer over-populated while lecturers no longer complained of having too many
scripts to mark, coupled with the fact that the university’s science
laboratories and workshops were now well-equipped.
The university’s image maker further noted that Prof Fakae’s
re-appointment would put the university in a better stead, as his
administration would ensure continuous, rapid transformation of the university.
‘Members of the university community should give peace a
chance. ASUU should adopt dialogue so that we can move the university forward.
Enough is enough. Let us not drive our students to the streets again. It does
not augur well for us , it does not augur well for parents. It is not good for
our children. Let us support the management to move the university forward”, he
pleaded.
He also defended the VC’s administrative style, and sued for
peace, tolerance and dialogue.
However, a member of the Senior Staff Association of
Nigerian Universities (SSANU) who was visibly disturbed by the current state of
affairs at the university, while speaking to The Tide under condition of
anonymity, advised the Vice Chancellor to step aside in the interest of peace,
and not allow the university to be consumed by selfish interest.
Donatus Ebi
The Rivers State Government has vowed to enforce strict compliance with approved building plans by property owners and developers in the State to guarantee safety and adherence to regulatory standards.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, in his inaugural meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Directors and staff of the Ministry, said he would ensure full implementation of the Physical Planning Development Law of the State.
He warned that the Rivers State Government will no longer condone a situation where developers make deliberate adjustment or completely deviate from approved building plan in the execution of their projects without recourse to the Ministry.
Hon. Bipi solicited the cooperation of the civil servants of the Ministry while promising to run an open door policy and be easily accessible.
He also promised to right the wrongs, make a positive impact and leave an enduring legacy in the Ministry.
He promised to enhance the physical landscape and aesthetic of Old and New GRA as well as other parts of Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Surv. Wisdom Hebron, assured the Commissioner of maximum cooperation to foster a harmonious working environment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the payment of N85,000.00 as the new minimum wage for civil servants in the employ of the Rivers State Government.
This is the agreement reached during a closed door meeting presided over by the Governor and attended by representatives of organised labour under the auspices of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in the State at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, who spoke on behalf of the Government, affirmed that Governor Fubara has graciously approved a new minimum wage of N85,000.00, adding that the government will begin in November, 2024.
Dr George said, “He (Gov Fubara) has pronounced a figure that is higher than the National Minimum Wage. He pronounced a sum of N85,000.00, which is higher than the minimum wage that was prescribed nationally.
“So, as the Head of Service and a major stakeholder in the labour family, I am very happy to say that the Rivers State Civil Servants have never had it this good since the inception of this State.
“The labour union leaders and all the other major stakeholders were happy with this development,” he added.
Responding to possible payment of arrears, Dr Nwaeke, said it is yet to be determined because a technical committee has been set up to critically work out a tenable payment chart, which will cater to issues of arrears.
He clarified, “Issues of arrears will be worked out by the committee that I am going to be Deputy to the SSG. We are already going to work on it in a technical committee that will now get the nitty gritty of the payment and inform the press later.”
On his part, the Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Emecheta Chuku, explained that this is their first meeting with Governor Fubara to discuss the issue of the new minimum wage as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Comrade Chuku pointed to the fact that the gracious approval of N85,000.00 new minimum wage is very appeasing to the labour leaders, adding that it demonstrates love for the workers.
He explained, “For the Governor to come, against all the crisis, against all the things that he is facing and more, to say he will pay N85,000.00 minimum wage, I think our hearts are full of joy.
“Of course, we have no doubt, knowing the kind of person we have as our Governor. He is a decent man; very responsible enough; and grew through the rank and file of the system. He understands what it takes to earn a living salary; he understands the difference between gifting money and paying somebody salary that can sustain him or her from the first day to the last day of the month.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Chapter, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, noted that the amount approved by Governor Fubara puts Rivers State Government ahead of Lagos State as the highest minimum wage paying State to civil servants in Nigeria.
He stressed, “Why do I say that? Lagos State said N85,000.00 and Rivers State is paying N85,000.00. The IGRs of Lagos State and Rivers State are not the same. So, for the Governor to agree to pay the same rate with Lagos, that means we are at the top of it.
“We are the best, and we want to continue to commend the Governor. We assure him that, as far as this State is concerned, labour is going to stand with him. We will be with him even until the next eight years.
“I want to commend His Excellency, Executive Governor of Rivers State, our own Number One Worker in Rivers State, he has, once again, proven that the workers in Rivers State gave him an award on May Day as the Champion of Labour, as the Most Labour-Friendly Governor in Nigeria. He, again, has shown that to us today, and I want to commend him.”
He added that they were returning to the State Secretariat Complex to inform workers of the Governor’s magnanimity and benevolence towards civil servants in 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.
