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NUPENG Resumes Products Supply In Rivers …As RSG Moves To Reconstruct Two Federal Roads
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria (NUPENG), has assured that there will be no scarcity of petroleum products in Rivers State as the union will continue to discharge its responsibilities of supplying products.
This is as the Rivers State Government in conjunction with Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Plc have agreed to reconstruct the damaged portion of the East-West Road, stretching from Eleme Junction to Refinery Junction.
The Rivers State Government has also resolved to reconstruct the bad portions of the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, along the Oyigbo axis.
Addressing journalists, last Friday, after meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt, National Industrial Relations Officer of NUPENG, Comrade Bassey Harry, said that having met with the governor, the union will cooperate with the administration to ensure the two federal roads are fixed as soon as possible.
He said that following the agreement reached with the governor, NUPENG will use her platforms to supply products to all local government areas of the state.
The NUPENG official commended Wike for the initial reconstruction of the East-West Road, which was a death trap at the time he assumed duty as the governor of the state.
He said: “We understand the effort of the governor. We took into consideration that when he came into office, the area we are mentioning today was like a death trap. But within six months in office, 80 per cent of the road was fixed by him.
“With him, that road as promised will be fixed as soon as possible. We are prepared to cooperate with him to see how that road will be fixed. There will be no fuel scarcity. We will manage the situation. The trucks will ply the roads as we know how to go about it.”
Harry added: “We have given him our word that we will manage the situation to ensure that there will be no fuel scarcity. So, people should not do panic buying of products. People should not store fuel in their houses”.
It would be recalled that Wike had earlier fixed roads neglected by the Federal Government.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said that the government’s desire to fix the roads was aimed at ensuring uninterrupted economic activities to bolster investors’ confidence, and encourage increased foreign direct investments into the state.
Wike also advised labour unions to use strike as the last option in trade disputes to stem the tide of development challenges witnessed as a result of the frequency of strikes in the country.
He assured that the government would collaborate with National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers to develop a Tankers’ Village in Eleme with a view to taking tankers off the highways while generating revenue.
Addressing the National Administrative Council of NUPENG, led by its President, Igwe Achese at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said that he believed that workers should be allowed to unionise so that companies and organisations will be encouraged to always consider their welfare.
He said: “I believe that strikes should serve as a last option for unions during trade disputes. The strikes in Nigeria are getting too many and efforts should be targeted at reducing them.”
He appreciated the leaders of NUPENG for calling off their strike following his intervention, noting that the state government has already called on oil companies to reciprocate by recalling the sacked workers.
The governor urged unions to always work towards the development of money spinning ventures, to reduce their dependence on check off dues for survival.
Expressing happiness that NUPENG was developing a Tankers’ Village/Tank Farm in Rivers State, he directed the state Ministries of Energy and Lands to work with the union to bring the project to fruition and ensure the release of certificate of occupancy for the project site.
Wike, however, said that the state will work out amnesty for criminals and cultists who lay down their arms and embrace peace.
Earlier, President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese, commended the governor for his development strides in the areas of infrastructure and welfare of workers.
It would be recalled that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, when he assumed office, went into collaboration with some companies operating in the area to raise about N3billion to fix that portion of the road.
The companies that reportedly went into the memorandum of understanding with the state government were Integrated Logistics Limited, Indorama Petrochemicals, West African Container Terminals, Port Harcourt Refining Company, Nigerian Ports Authority, and Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.
