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Labour Lists Conditions For Suspension Of Strike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday gave conditions for dialogue and eventual suspension of the nationwide strike against federal government’s fuel subsidy removal last week.
Making their stance public during a protest rally by both unions to Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, the two unions stressed that the Presidency should first revert to the old pump price of fuel before any dialogue would ensue.
Chairman of the NLC in the State, Chief Chris Oruge and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Chika Onuegbu insisted that the President should listen to the voice of the people.
Chief Oruge said, “the workers of Rivers State are saying No to subsidy removal. We want you to carry our message to our brother, the President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan”.
He continued, “it is not that we don’t want to obey our brother but if you go outside now you will see a lot of Nigerians trekking…Transport fares and everything have gone up. The N18000 minimum wage is worthless”.
The Rivers NLC chief averred that the State Governor had enormous powers as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum to prevail on the Presidency to retain the fuel subsidy.
He explained that the protest was one way labour wanted to register its displeasure on the policy.
In a similar vein, The Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Chika Onuegbu argued that since the removal of the fuel subsidy, Nigerians were undergoing numerous hardships, including sudden rise in prices of foodstuffs, transport fares among others.
As a result, he explained that labour’s action had become crucial to addressing the plight of Nigerians, adding, “on behalf of the Nigerian people we want to appeal to Mr President to listen to Nigerians and listen to us by reverting to the old pump price of fuel, with that we can now dialogue.”
Responding, Governor Chibuike Amaechi assured them that their request would be tabled before the President but used the forum to invite labour to a town hall meeting where he would explain government’s policies better.
Rt Hon. Amaechi stated that so far palliatives had been put in place to ensure that fuel doesn’t sell above N137 in the state and that government had liaised with the Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) to bring down transport fares to N50 except on some routes which would charge above that.
In addition, he disclosed that a special discount market was underway in the three senatorial districts of the state to sell products at subsidized rates to the populace.
Besides, he noted that his administration had rolled out plans through the 2012 budget that would ensure more public utilities are provided, as he assured that free education and health will be the pivot of his government.
He sued for understanding from labour, saying, “it is not that government is not aware of the people suffering. We are very conscious of your problems including the President…We know that there are challenges”.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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