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Rivers Assembly Summons Halliburton …Over Discrimination Against Indigenes

Published

9 years ago

May 19, 2017

The Rivers State House of Assembly has summoned Halliburton Energy Services to appear before it to explain why it would discriminate against Rivers State people working in the company.
The House made the resolution at plenary, yesterday, after considering a motion brought before it by members representing Obio/Akpor Constituency 1 and 2, Hon Martin Amaewhule and Michael Chinda, respectively.
Also to appear before the House are the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN).
The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani, explained that the reason for inviting the labour unions and the government’s law officer was to make the investigation holistic and have a broader view of what transpired “and how it has impacted negatively on our people”.
The speaker noted that the company would be used as a test case to stop all manner of inhuman treatment that Rivers people have been subjected to in the past.
While presenting the motion, Amaewhule, who is the majority leader of the House, had complained that Halliburton, a company situate at Plot 158, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, has a characteristic manner of systematically discriminating against Rivers people.
“It is with a heavy heart that I bring this motion to halt the systematic discrimination against Rivers indigenes in Halliburton Energy Services before this honourable Assembly for consideration”, he said.
He expressed worry at the several petitions on the deliberate design by the said company to allegedly ensure that Rivers people are kept out of managerial positions despite the fact that “Rivers is the home to the main operational base of this company.
“Mr Speaker, the office of the majority leader has been privileged with information that this company allegedly declares redundancy without due regard for laid down procedures and practices respecting the disengagement of the services of employees.
“What is worrisome is that this same redundancy excuse, on which the company rests when it comes to relieving Rivers State indigenes of their jobs, seems not to apply to indigenes of other states. This practice is simply not acceptable as Halliburton owes the host communities and the state, the corporate social responsibility to employ and retain qualified Rivers State indigenes at any level in the company”, he said, alleging that, Rivers people, apart from being sacked indiscriminately, are never allowed to occupy managerial positions.
He said, “these unhealthy actions by Halliburton” the vast unhealthy practices against Rivers people by different organizations, noting that it was unconstitutional and unacceptable.
According to him, it derides every sense of nationhood and dignity to see people being discriminated in their own state, while citing Section 42(2) of the Constitution which frowns at discrimination and stipulates that no citizen of Nigeria shall be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely by reason of the circumstances of birth.
He called on the House to condemn the action and invite the top management of the company to explain the “vexed issue of constitutional breach and discrimination against Rivers State indigenes.”
In his contribution, member representing Asari-Toru Constituency 2, Hon Enemi George, lamented that it was reprehensible and a new form of internal colonialism that people would be made strangers in their own land.
“Mr Speaker, they are not orphans and those of us who have the privilege to sit within the four walls of this hallowed chamber have a responsibility to protect these people, speak on their behalf and bite, if necessary.
“We cannot continue to fold our hands and watch our people suffer in the hands of these companies, every day, one IOC. We have a responsibility to create an enabling environment for their business to succeed, while we do that, I always say that they too must learn to play by the rules and do their own part of the bargain.
“They hardly pay taxes, they evade taxes, I have seen situations where they operate in Rivers State but remit their PAYE taxes to other states, they are taking us for granted, they are insulting us, and as a House of Assembly today, we must begin to reverse this trend, if not, Mr Speaker, it would come to a point when we even cannot control it”, he lamented.
He wondered how youth restiveness can be contained when the people who have the corporate social responsibility to ensure that the youth are employed are the ones who make sure they are not employed.
The lawmaker urged the House “to take decisive actions and let the companies know that they operate under an environment governed by people who are responsible to ensure that the society functions in a manner that the law has prescribed”.
Others who condemned the act, include Hon Abinye Pepple (Bonny Constituency) and Deputy Speaker, Marshal Uwom (Abua Odual constituency).
While Pepple urged the House to rise to the occasion and “stop this madness and modern-day slavery against Rivers people”, the Minority Leader, Ferdinand Anabraba, pleaded with his colleagues not to be quick to condemn the actions of the company based on the allegations but give the management fair hearing.

Featured

RSG Floats MNET Culture Content Promo

Published

4 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.

He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.

He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.

“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.

Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.

The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.

On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.

Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.

With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.

He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.

Kevin Nengia

Featured

APC Presidential Campaign Storms PH, ‘Morrow

Published

4 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.

This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.

The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.

The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.

President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.

The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.

The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.

The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.

Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.

Featured

2027: Be Politically Neutral, Fubara Tasks Traditional Rulers

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.

The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.

“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.

“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.

Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.

He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.

“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.

On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.

Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.

He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.

He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.

The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.

Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.

The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.