Rivers

Eleme Challenges OGFZ Over Employment Quota Claim

Published

9 years ago

February 20, 2013

There was a melodrama last Friday when the Good Governance Tour team visited the Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne, as a fierce disagreement greeted the claim by the authority of the zone that the local community (Eleme) was receiving its fair quota from the 30,000 employment opportunities for the catchment area.

Immediately the Managing Director of the OGFZ, Victor Alabo concluded his presentation to the team, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly representing Eleme Constituency, Hon. Josiah John Olu debunked the claim of fair employment quota to his people, saying rather that Eleme community had remained marginalised in the affairs of the zone, especially as it concerns employment.

Hon. Olu informed the team led by Information Minister, Labaran Maku, that not even one person from the entire host community has been employed into the management position inspite of the fact that his area has well qualified persons in every discipline.

The lawmaker called on the Federal Government to come to his people’s rescue, noting that the essence of the tour was to give opportunity to the people to express their feeling.

He further remarked that the zone was talking about developing the 4A and 4B phases without proper Environmental Impact Assessment as required by the law, stressing that such could be at the detriment of his people.

The zone, being run by Intel Services, he alleged, has spent about 30 years in the area but has never called for a town hall meeting to hear the feelings of his people on their areas of need.

“But Intel is taking us for granted in their divide and rule system”, he noted, adding that his people had continued to suffer marginalisation in many ways.

However, the MD of OGFZ, Victor Alabo, later accepted that in the Senior Cadre, Eleme people do not have fair quota but that about 80 percent of their quota of employment was being given to workers at lower grade.

The Tide gathered that a frosty relationship exists between the free zone authority with the best development and investment potential in Africa and its host communities. In September, 2012, youths of the area blocked the road leading to the base when the zone was hosting an international conference as a calculated attempt to show their grievances.

Another indigene of Eleme, who spoke to The Tide, accused the management of being tribal in their recruitment exercise.

The big “Ogas” in the companies are mainly from Hausa, Yoruba, and Ibo. So, when there are openings in their companies, they go home and bring their brothers and sisters to displace us, he complained.

Chris Oluoh

Rivers

Incest Cases Worry FIDA

Published

23 hours ago

September 24, 2021

The Tide

International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in the State, has raised an alarm over the increase of incest in the State.
The Acting Chairman of FIDA in the State, Nnenna Igbokwe told newsmen that the organisation discovered this during their sensitisation programme about the VAAP Law.
Igbokwe said at least three of the incest cases are before court of competent jurisdiction.
The Acting FIDA Chairman also said that the accused especially, fathers use threat to silence cases of incest in their family.
She however, advised security agencies to do due diligence in their investigation of the incest matters.

Rivers

Banigo Receives MWAN’s President-Elect

Published

23 hours ago

September 24, 2021

The Tide

The State Deputy Governor and foundation member of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has received the new MWAN’s, National President-elect, Prof. Rosemary Ogu.
The Deputy Governor received Prof Ogu in her office at Government House, Port Harcourt, and congratulated the team on the victory.
She also presented gifts to the National President-elect.
Earlier, the 22nd National President-elect of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Prof Romary Ogu had promised to work hard to take the association to enviable heights.
In another development, the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has also received her 22nd MWAN Biennial Conference registration materials from Dr Vetty Agala, the President of MWAN in the State
The Tide reports that the State delegation included MWAN’s, Rivers State Founder/Initiator, Dr Bernadette Korubo, a life member of the association, Dr Nnesochi Offor who is also another life member, past President of the State, past National Treasurer and MWAN mentor 2021.
Other delegates led by the State President, Dr Vetty Agala were Dr Obelebra Adebiyi, immediate past State Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association and past President, MWAN, Rivers State, Dr Ibimonye Porbeni, the immediate past MWAN President in the State and Dr Ireju Ajie, the Secretary of MWAN in the State.
The State branch of MWAN will be hosting the 23rd biennial conference in September, 2023.

Rivers

LG Boss Orders Fresh Election Processes In Community

Published

23 hours ago

September 24, 2021

The Tide

As the build up to the Krakrama Youths Association’s election gathers momentum, the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Onengiyeofori George, has sued for peace amongst parties.
The Tide learnt that security intelligence from the Krakrama community revealed that rancour and crisis were looming as a result of the forthcoming youth election in the community thus, if treated with levity may degenerate into a crisis situation in the community.
Sequel to the impending fracas allegedly caused by the pre-election irregularities, the Asari- Toru Local Government Area boss in line with his constitutional duty of maintaining peace and order as the Chief Security Officer in the Local Government Area has ordered for a fresh start of the process.
Speaking in a meeting with the Amanyanabo of Krakrama Community, King Iwari Gibson Bala, the CDC Chairman, Comrade Victor Membere and the outgoing Youth President of Krakrama Youth Association, Comrade Ikalaso Tomitamunoa, the Council boss ordered for the nullification of the Electoral Commitee appointed by the outgoing executives of the Krakrama Youth Association.
He further asked the Amanyanabo of Krakrama Community to liaise with the relevant stakeholders to appoint a credible, neutral and acceptable Electoral Committee that will oversee the elections.
Moreover, the Council Chairman directed that the aspirants who had purchased forms already still stand as status quo still remains.
For fairness, the new Electoral Committee to be appointed has been directed to give one week of grace to aspirants for continuous sale of forms.

By: Theresa Frederick & Wokoma Emmanuel