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‘Planned Nationwide Strike, A Cheap PENGASSAN Blackmail’
A multi-national company based at the Onne Export Free Zone, Vam Onne Nigeria Limited, has described the nationwide strike threatened by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) as a cheap blackmail by the union intended to get from the backdoor that which they could not get through the front door of laid out legal and constitutional processes.
The Country Manager of the multinational, Nigeria’s foremost pipe threading, casing and tubing firm, at the centre of the PENGASSAN storm, Mr Eugene Fogli, stated this in an exclusive interview with The Tide.
Mr Fogli expressed shock and utter disappointment with what he described as the seemingly gangster-like approach by the union in harassing legitimate workers of the company.
He said that the PENGASSAN members allegedly sacked last year, were not employees of Vam Onne Nigeria Limited, as the union wanted the world to believe, but employees of Marine Platform Nigeria Limited (MPL), who, as legitimate labour contractors, engaged them directly and paid their monthly salaries in line with existing employment agreements.
Expatiating further, legal counsel to Vam Onne, Mr Inam Wilson of Templars Law Firm, Lagos, explained that the excesses of the Part Harcourt zone of PENGASSAN had earlier been reported to relevant constitutional bodies, including the police.
In one such petition to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Onne, Port Harcourt, Vam Onne, according to Barrister Wilson, copy of which was made available to The Tide, Vam Onne had reported that the Port Harcourt zone of PENGASSAN, “in concert with other misguided employees of MPL illegally and unlawfully set up barricade at the entrance of Vam Onne Nigeria Limited between November 2 – 16, 2011 which made it impossible for the company to operate and carry out its lawful business with consequential losses assessed at about $100,000 daily,” about N15 million per day and N190 million in 14 days. The confrontation, Vam Onne explained held the potent threat to loss of life and injury to its staff.
According to the petition, dated December 7, 2011 and signed by the Managing Director, Eugene Fogli, ‘although PENGASSAN and MPL workers temporarily suspended their action on November 16, 2011, they resumed the illegal blockade of Vam Onne facilities on December 2nd and remained there until December 7, 2011 when the DPO was petitioned.
Mr Fogli wondered how a PENGASSAN grouse with MPL over the sacking of one of its members by an employer should be used as excuse to picket Vam, instead of MPL, the employer of Mr John Ukegbu.
During the picketing, according to Mr Fogli, “not only were MPL staff buses packed across the entrance gate of Vam Onne premises, thus, preventing entry/or exit of vehicles, including our staff bus, a canopy was also set up across the front of the gate as additional barrier to prevent entry and movement of Vam personnel, customers, vehicles and materials. Vam Onne employees were under threat of harm and, physically prevented from gaining access into our premises to perform their lawful duties”.
Vam Onne also informed the DPO that unable to restrain the Port Harcourt zonal office of PENGASSAN from the ‘siege’, MPL, the labour contractor was constrained to institute a court action against the union, which resulted in the issuance by the National Industrial Arbitration Court, Enugu Division of an interlocutory order outlawing any further picketing or harassment of Vam employees, the company and its customers.
The Tide investigation revealed that the court order was yet to be discharged and the substantive suit still in court when PENGASSAN Zonal officers led by its acting chairman, Mr Friday Otono stormed Vam Onne, Tuesday, February 7, and laid siege till February 9, 2012 when they were dispersed by law enforcement officers.
In an earlier interview at the union’s new zonal office unveiled last Monday, in Port Harcourt, Mr Otono said, ‘all we want is for government to call the parties, and not for us to pursue long litigations.
Soye Wilson
Jamabo
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
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.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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