News
Indorama, Workers Bicker Over Poor Service Condition
The management of Indorama Eleme Petrochemical Limited and workers are now in a face-off over alleged discriminatory policies and domination of Indians over their Nigerian colleagues.
Staff of the company, at the weekend locked horns with management, in a peaceful protest to register their displeasure over what they described as ‘slave’ labour policies perpetrated by the management.
The workers, who stormed the gates of the company in their numbers, in the wee hours of last Friday, were locked out by the management who prevented them from entering the company through the aid of heavily armed security operatives, who barricaded the company gates.
The protesting workers, however, dared the heavy rains, chanting solidarity songs, and insisting that their demands be given due attention by management.
Speaking with The Tide during the protest, the branch Chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and National Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the company, Comrade Charmi Eze, traced the genesis of the problem to the management’s decision to impose membership of compromised unions on workers.
Eze, who faulted management’s decision, said labour laws stipulate that workers should join unions of their choice.
The NUPENG boss said such breach of workers’ rights in the company was beyond forced unionism but included discriminatory employment policies which favour Indians over Nigerian workers.
He pointed out that there was a high discrepancy between Indian and Nigerian workers in terms of salaries and allowances, as Indians receive “fabulous allowances and salaries, while Nigerians are paid peanuts.”
Also speaking, the branch Chairman, Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Union (PENGASAN) in Indorama Eleme Petrochemical, Comrade Innocent Ugwunta, said the decision of management to shut out the workers was deceptive.
He said the allegation by management that the shutting down of the plant by workers caused damage to the equipment was a ploy to cash in on the opportunity to promote its selfish interest.
The PENGASSAN chairman said the Indians were plotting to damage the plants at the expense of the workers so they could declare “over-bloated dividends and swindle the shareholders, including the workers and host communities”.
In her remarks, the Zonal Treasurer of NUPENG, Comrade Mobote Odusanwo, described the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (CANSA) and the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Metallic Products Employees of Nigeria (NUPLANFEN) as stooges of management.
Branch Secretary of NUPENG, Indorama, Comrade Walter Tamuno, in his reaction, flayed the management for flouting the directives of the Rivers State Government on the matter.
He said the decision of management to force workers on leave was a clear connivance with the Indians to sabotage the company.
It could be recalled that the management of Indorama, in a circular, dated 14 July, 2017, signed by an Indian human resources manager, had alleged that “the continued shut down of all plants since 12 July, 2017, has caused substantial damage to the plants, as well as made operations unsafe”.
The circular called for inspection and assessment from experts for proper repairs and maintenance before safe re-start of the facility, and urged all employees to proceed on leave until the plants are safe for operation.
Efforts to get the Media Relations Manager of the company, Jossy Nkwocha, to comment on the matter were abortive as he did not respond to all phone calls.
Taneh Beemene
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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