Niger Delta
Uduaghan Condemns Casualisation In Oil Industry
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has condemned the continued casualisation of workers in the oil and gas industry.
The governor, last Tuesday in Asaba when members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) led by its National President, Mr Igwe Achiese, paid him a courtesy visit, appealed to employers of labour to stop casualisation of their workforce, especially in the oil sector.
The governor said that multi-national oil companies often contracted jobs to Nigerians, who thereafter placed their Nigerian employees on casual labour, and said that his administration was committed to dealing with the issues of casualisation in government in spite of its reoccurring challenges.
“This administration is determined to change the face of Delta, and on the issues you have raised so far, the casualisation is an issue that I am very particular about.
“And I believe it should not happen, especially in the oil industry. This is because I have people around me, who are victims of casualisation. It is inhuman to employ workers for 25 years or more and retire them as casuals, with no pension, while the pay is infinitesimal,’’ he said.
The governor also assured the union that the state would work out modalities to provide new parking areas for tanker vehicles in Warri to ease the challenges of space for tanker drivers awaiting their loading turns.
He also assured the union of security adding that government was committed to supporting the security agencies to provide adequate protection within the state.
The governor, however, charged the union to ensure prompt release of information to security agencies to enable them function effectively.
Earlier, the union president lauded the state government for the physical development projects in Asaba and its environs, and urged him not to relent.
Achiese said that they were on the visit to officially invite the governor to inaugurate the union’s zonal secretariat in Warri on June 29.
The union president said NUPENG had operated from a rented apartment until recently, adding that its own structure was now ready.
He commended the governor for the relative peace that the union had enjoyed under his administration, and urged him to improve on the current level of peace.
Achiese urged the governor to wade into the issues of casualisation under which oil workers were placed on casual labour for as much as 18 years, while receiving peanuts, and without any entitlement.
He also appealed to the state government to provide space for petroleum taker park.
Achiese described corruption as the bedrock of the current state of insecurity in the country, adding that if corruption was checked and the needed infrastructure put in place, insecurity would have been dealt with.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
