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 Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
?
?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
?
?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
?
?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
?
In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
