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NLNG TRAIN 7: TUC Affiliates Shut Down Operations For 11 Days Over Poor Wages … Picket Bonny LGA
Both construction and economic activities have been paralysed for 11 days at the ever-busy construction sites of the ongoing NLNG Gas Train 7 project in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers Stateover poor pay packages and other allowances.
This follows the strike action embarked upon by the amalgamated unions under the umbrella of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), affiliates of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) working in CISCO and Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited/Nigeria in Bonny.
The two firms are the major companies handling the construction of facilities for the Train 7 gas project in the island area.
Sources said that the strike action has caused major setbacks in the expected time for the completion of the project,as the country looks forward to becoming one of the major gas exporting countries across the globe.
The protesting workers are also demanding for the recalling of over 60 members sacked by the two major contracting firms because of their membership of NAPO.
Speaking to journalists in Bonny,the National President of NAPO, Comrade Harold Bestowe, condemned the actions of the management of the two companies for interfering in the freedom and rights of workers to freely choose unions of their choice,adding that their action was a pure violation of the rights of the workers as enshrined in the Labour Act as well as the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He berated the companies for not finding ways to resolve the labour unrest, but instead forcing the workers to belong to preferred union of the company management’s choice.
The NAPO helmsman also accused the Bonny Local Government Council chairman of abandoning her responsibilities of maintaining peace and order in the area, alleging that she has turned herself as conduit to coarse workers to belong to pre-determined union against their choice.
He commended the workers for taking the bull by the horns to end what he called modern-day slavery employed by the companies operating in the area, and assured that he would continue to lead the protest until their demandsweremet.
“NAPO, today, Thursday, 15th September, 2022, starting from 5am, is going to inconvenience the Nigeria LNG at her exit road leading to the gas plant in Bonny LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria.
“This is as a result of efforts by her contractor, SAIPEM/Daewoo Unincorporated Joint Venture to put in place a system that is against the extant labour laws that protect freedom of association. Nigeria LNG has become an anti-labour organisation.
“We, the members of NAPO and other sister affiliate trade unions of TUC, are suffocating and we need a fresh air to breathe.
“It is now a matter of life and death situation that needs emergency response.
“Nigeria LNG must speak to end up the apartheid system where colour and race determine the wages of workers participating in the Nigeria LNG construction and maintenance workforce.
“Where the rights of freedom of association are breached and her facility is being used as a modern day slave camp instead of workplace.
“NAPO Say NO To ‘Monkey dey work but na bamboo dey chop system’
“NAPO Say NO To ‘Apartheid wage system in the Construction and Maintenance Department in Nigeria LNG Gas Plant terminal’
“NAPO Say NO ‘to imposition of Trade Union on Workers
“NAPO Say NO ‘to the interference of employer’s in the choice of workers to choose her union and her leadership for the purpose of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)’.”
Reacting to the workers’ allegation of interference,the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council,Dame Anengi Barasua, denied forcing the workers to belong to any labour union against their choice and wishes,adding that determining which union workers in the company join does not form part of her jurisdiction.
She, however,said she only invited the union executive and the management of the two companies to see how they can resolve the lingering crisis, and not to mingle into union matters.
“Union matters are not my jurisdiction. What I told the management of the two companies during the meeting was to reinstate the workers allegedly sacked,while the workers go back to work”, she stated.
In his response,the Manager,Human Resources,CISCO,MrCharles Omakoro, denied sacking any worker because of union matters, but argued that the decision was premised on the fact that the company was winding down its contract with NLNG as regards the project.
“We have few works, and we cannot continue to keep many people when there are few jobs to do”, he stated.
However,the Project Manager of DEAWOO E &C Nigeria, LNG Project, Bonny,Yeosan Kim,in his response,, declined to speak on the real reasons why the company sacked the workers,adding that he was not incharge of union matters in the company.
Also,a Senior Admin Officer in the company simply called, Mr Clifford, said he was not authorised to speak on behalf the company, and referredThe Tideto Mr
Similarly, Andy Jaja and Matthew Duru, who are incharge of public affairs, and community and security matters, respectively, refused to pick their calls or reply text messages sent to their various mobile lines.
By: Amadi Akujobi
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.