Niger Delta
Bayelsa Health Workers Embark On Strike
Protesting junior health
workers in Bayelsa State civil service have shut down all the major Ebola virus disease surveillance centers established by the state as they demand their unpaid promotion arrears and allowances.
The health workers, under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions in the State, took to the streets of Yenagoa and declared a three-day warning strike to demand for payment of outstanding promotion arrears and allowances.
The strike action paralyzed activities at state and federal owned hospitals used as designated Ebola Virus Surveillance centres by the State government including the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa and the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.
The state government had two days ago announced the establishment of 103 surveillance centres to tackle any outbreak of Ebola virus in the state.
The announcement, however sparked controversies amongst residents who argued the rationale behind the setting up of such centres, especially as no case of Ebola virus had been established in the state.
Although no such centres exist anywhere in the state according to The Tide investigations but officials of the State Ministry of Health claimed the strike action would not affect the Ebola Virus surveillance activities of the designated centres,
Already the strike action of the junior health workers and the five weeks strike by doctors had paralyzed medical services in the State.
At the physiotherapy department of the Federal Medical Centre, patients were forced out of the complex by representatives of the various health unions who locked up the facility.
Also, hundreds of patients were dismissed at the General Out Patients Department where consultant physicians were rendering skeletal services. Some critically ill patients on admission who were managed by consultants and nurses were also ejected.
According to a relation of an ejected patient, Moses Salo, “This is one strike too many, first the members of Nigerian Medical Association and now the other categories of health workers are joining them. It is very pathetic that no one cares for the interest of patients. My mother has been under intensive care and managed by the consultants who are not part of the strike, but this time around even the nurses and others have started their own.”
“It is so bad that this is happening because my mother was referred to this place because the private hospital I took her to lacked expertise to handle the ailment, where do we go from here?” Moses Salo lamented.
Mr Simon Bernabas, Coordinator of the Joint Health Sector Unions at FMC, Yenagoa said that the various unions were compelled to embark on the indefinite strike after a three day warning strike. in June.
He said that the refusal of FMC, Yenagoa to pay promotion arrears and other outstanding allowances currently being enjoyed at other Federal Medical Centres made the strike inevitable. .
When contacted, the Chief Medical Director of FMC,Yenagoa Dr Ebitimi Etebu said that the outstanding arrears of allowance was due to funding shortfall.
“The strike is malicious because it is a national thing, we have explained to the workers that funds to pay them is not with us here and that they will be paid. But they just held a meeting and went on demonstrations on the streets, the management is not part of that, they are on their own,” Etebu said.
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.