News
Labour Lists Conditions For Suspension Of Strike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday gave conditions for dialogue and eventual suspension of the nationwide strike against federal government’s fuel subsidy removal last week.
Making their stance public during a protest rally by both unions to Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, the two unions stressed that the Presidency should first revert to the old pump price of fuel before any dialogue would ensue.
Chairman of the NLC in the State, Chief Chris Oruge and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Chika Onuegbu insisted that the President should listen to the voice of the people.
Chief Oruge said, “the workers of Rivers State are saying No to subsidy removal. We want you to carry our message to our brother, the President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan”.
He continued, “it is not that we don’t want to obey our brother but if you go outside now you will see a lot of Nigerians trekking…Transport fares and everything have gone up. The N18000 minimum wage is worthless”.
The Rivers NLC chief averred that the State Governor had enormous powers as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum to prevail on the Presidency to retain the fuel subsidy.
He explained that the protest was one way labour wanted to register its displeasure on the policy.
In a similar vein, The Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Chika Onuegbu argued that since the removal of the fuel subsidy, Nigerians were undergoing numerous hardships, including sudden rise in prices of foodstuffs, transport fares among others.
As a result, he explained that labour’s action had become crucial to addressing the plight of Nigerians, adding, “on behalf of the Nigerian people we want to appeal to Mr President to listen to Nigerians and listen to us by reverting to the old pump price of fuel, with that we can now dialogue.”
Responding, Governor Chibuike Amaechi assured them that their request would be tabled before the President but used the forum to invite labour to a town hall meeting where he would explain government’s policies better.
Rt Hon. Amaechi stated that so far palliatives had been put in place to ensure that fuel doesn’t sell above N137 in the state and that government had liaised with the Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) to bring down transport fares to N50 except on some routes which would charge above that.
In addition, he disclosed that a special discount market was underway in the three senatorial districts of the state to sell products at subsidized rates to the populace.
Besides, he noted that his administration had rolled out plans through the 2012 budget that would ensure more public utilities are provided, as he assured that free education and health will be the pivot of his government.
He sued for understanding from labour, saying, “it is not that government is not aware of the people suffering. We are very conscious of your problems including the President…We know that there are challenges”.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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