News
HOS Advises Labour Unions On Due Process
Labour Unions in Rivers State have been advised to employ due process in handling affairs concerning the welfare of workers.
The Head of Service (HOS), Barr. Samuel LongJohn gave the advice on Tuesday when the Executive and Unit Heads of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt.
Barr. LongJohn, who was reacting to the purported 7-day ultimatum by Labour Unions, said it was improper for Labour Leaders to give an ultimatum to Government without his knowledge as Head of the State Civil Service, noting that he had been in office for over one month and no Labour Union had deemed it necessary to interact with him on ways of resolving issues affecting Civil Servants.
The Head of Service, who expressed disgust at their stance, pointed out that if they had found time to interact with him, they would have been informed of the efforts made at addressing their grievances, stressing that his office is supposed to be the first to know of any complaints by workers and would in turn present it to the Governor if the matter is beyond his powers.
“If you had come to me, perhaps you would have given me the benefit of doubt to see what could be done on the issue or how far we have gone”, he noted.
In response to some of the issues raised by the Union, the Head of Service said a process had been put in place to ensure that payslips are issued to workers two days before salaries are paid to enable them know the components of their salaries and detect errors or omissions.
On the implementation of GL. 17 for Directors and the tenure policy, the Head of Service said modalities on the implementation of GL 17 were being worked out while names of those affected in the tenure policy as well as the financial implications and accruing benefits had been compiled and submitted to the State Executive Council for final decision.
Barr. LongJohn said he would strive to work for the interest of workers adding that “anything that will benefit the Civil Servant is my first consideration”.
He assured workers who acquire higher qualifications of commensurate advancement and benefits but advised them to ensure they undertake courses relevant to their work schedule.
The Head of Service appealed to workers to exercise patience as everything was being done to address their grievances and called for suggestions on ways to move the service forward. “Anything that you think we need to do to move the service forward, please bring the idea up, the Head of Service is not a repository of knowledge”, he stressed.
He, however, said that gossips would not be condoned and hinted that he was working on the idea of setting up suggestion boxes to be mounted at strategic locations to encourage Civil Servants proffer ideas on ways of improving the Service.
Earlier, the Chairman of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Opuoyibo Lily-West congratulated the Head of Service on his appointment and assured him of their loyalty and support.
He used the forum to inform him of the 7-day ultimatum given to the State Government in reaction to the bulk deductions from workers salaries as well as other issues bothering Civil Servants which include stagnation and non-advancement of officers who had acquired higher qualifications, implementation of GL 17 for Directors, tenure policy and advancement of Executive Officers to GL. 15, payment of arrears of promotion, salary relativity and N18,000 minimum wage, among others.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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