Featured
Rivers Assembly Summons Halliburton …Over Discrimination Against Indigenes
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.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
-
Maritime2 days agoNPA Secures $700m Citibank Loan For Tin Can, Apapa Ports Rehabilitation
-
News2 days agoJAMB Sanctions Officials For Asking Candidate To Remove Hijab
-
Opinion2 days agoCautious Optimism As Naira Rebounds
-
News2 days ago
Waive Tax On Electronic Imports, Women Engineers Appeal To Tinubu
-
Sports2 days agoCRSG Doubles Subvention For Rovers FC
-
Maritime2 days agoWestern Marine Command Customs Gets New Boss
-
News2 days agoNDLEA Arrests Three Wanted Kingpins, Seizes 51.90kg Heroin
-
Politics2 days agoNEC Meeting: PDP’ll Wax Stronger – Farah Dagogo