Niger Delta
Pensioners Demand Minimum Wage From FG
Pensioners in the five
states of the South South geo-political zones have expressed displeasure over the delayed in the harmonizations of the 18 per cent increase by some governments.
Rising from their zonal meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Nigeria Union of Pensioner (NUP), tasked governors in the region on regular payment of pension and gratuity of retirees.
The Union’s Zonal Chairman, Mr Benjamin Ettah who addressed the press at the end of the meeting highlighted various challenges facing pensioners in the region especially payment of terminal emoluments.
Ettah said paying the gratuity was timely necessary to improve the retirees’ well-being, saying that anything short of this, was an act of ungrateful mess to senior citizens who had put in their best in the service of their fatherland.
He said that the union would prefer a situation whereby Federal Government will create a minimum pension for its members.
“The six states include: Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo and Cross River; first, we want the 18 per cent minimum wage to reflect on their welfare package”.
“Salary of officers in service have been increasing year in year out but the issue of pensioners are always far in the list to address; so, we want a harmonised pension structure.
“We we are not happy the way payment of retirees pension are been delayed; the suffering of members in the six states is worrisome. “We have sensitised our members on the need to realise that their leaders have never slept nor slumber on the move to achieve good welfare for retirees in the region,” he added.
Ettah, who is also the NUP Chairman in Cross River however, commended their state Governor, Liyel Imoke for harmonising pension for all workers stating that “Pension in Cross River have been increased to 91 per cent by the state government and payment is also up-to-date.
Rivers NUP Chairman Mr Edward Festus-Alabo, said that payment of gratuity in the state had been on hold, urging the government to resume payment for betterment of retirees.
Festus-Alabo added that pension payment was also not up-to-date, blaming union leaders for being responsible for such hardship on members.
Bayelsa NUP Chairman Dr Emmanuel Namatebe, also frowned at the suffering of pensioners in south-south zone and described it as huge burden to the union.
“In Bayelsa, the 18 per cent minimum wage is yet to be implemented by the state government for pensioners; we have made several moves to actualise good welfare package for members. “I urge members in all the state to redouble their effort in supporting any platforms that are of good interest of retirees,” Namatebe said.
General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), Mr Celestine Ogolo (left), presenting some copies of Tide Newspaper to the Chairman, 80 County Run, Comrade, M.O. Raleigh – Joe, during the offical visit of the group to the corporation last Tuesday. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.