Courtesy visits by three professional bodies dominated
activities in Government House last week. However, it was the dialogue between the Rivers State Government and top officials of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that opened the week.
Worried over the impact of the NUPENG two-week strike action on the citizenry, Rivers State Government, through the Commissioner for Energy Resources, including the Secretary to the State Government intervened to broker peace. Before the quick intervention of government, transport fares within Port Harcourt and its environs had jacked up.
After due consultations and talks, the two-week old strike was called off last week Monday and was announced by state chairman of NUPENG, Comrade Charles Aleto. Commissioner for Energy, Shedrck Chukwu, commended NUPENG and the companies involved for the maturity and understanding they displayed while the negotiation lasted.
The agreement between NUPENG and government was sealed on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the labour body to the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in Government House. While thanking them for their cooperation, Chief Wike advised that strike should be used sparingly and as the last resort.
Tuesday last week, the governor received the Head of United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF). He later hosted the state branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) led by its chairman, Dr Furo Green.
Reacting to the over 13 requests made by the NMA state chairman, Chief Nyesom Wike, while speaking on the issue of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) Medical School, said the state government has not relocated the school, but rather wants to use the proposed Trauma and Cardiac Centre at the old University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) as part of training centre for Medical personnel.
The governor also hinted of State Government plan to improve facilities at the Orthopedic Centre of the Braithwaite Specialist Memorial Hospital, adding that the burnt doctor’s quarters in the hospital would also be revamped to house more resident doctors.
In the next few weeks, he (Wike) announced that renovation works for Moribund General Hospitals would commence across the state. He, however, pointed out that due to paucity of funds, the state government would take two general hospitals from the three Senatorial Districts as a pilot scheme.
On the request by the doctors to increase the retirement age of medical doctors, Governor Wike said, that would amount to breaching the law. He, however, profferred that State Government would engage retired medical consultants on contract basis as a way of improving quality of personnel in the health sector.
As usual, Wednesday last week served as day for the State Executive Council meeting when state policies and programmes are discussed and evaluated. The meeting was presided over by Chief Wike.
Shortly after meeting with the National Executive of NUPENG, led by its President, Comrade Achese Igwe, Governor Wike hinted of amnesty for repentant cultists in the state who are ready to turn a new leaf and lay down their arms. He also announced support for NUPENG’s Tank Farm Village at Eleme.
The governor received National Executive Council of Nigeria Institute of Architects led by its 26th President, Tonye Braide. He lauded the feat of Braide who is the first Rivers indigene to occupy the leadership of Architects nationwide.
Chief Wike pledged  government’s support for the NIA’s West African Expo slated for Port Harcourt in September. He reiterated government’s resolve to showcase Rivers State, as a way of attracting investment and tourism.
On Friday last week, the governor defied the early morning rain and inspected ongoing works at Igwuruta/Chokocho Road and the new Port Harcourt Leisure Park at Aba Road. After the project tour, he played host to the management of Pabod Breweries led by its Managing Director, Riaan Meyer. On Saturday he visited project sides at Akpajo, Salepenwa and SARS Road and Sir Omehia Road.