Ministry May Intervene In Asaba Workers Strike

Published

13 years ago

June 27, 2012

The Federal Ministry of Health, has been urged to intervene in the controversy which led to the strike by health workers in the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba.

The Medical Director, FMC, Asaba, Dr Leo Erhunmwunsee made the appeal in Asaba last Friday.

Erhunmwunsee, said that the activities in the hospital had been grounded for the past two weeks.

He explained that the health workers union proceeded on indefinite strike from mid-night of June 7.

“This followed the implementation of non-skipping of a particular grade level in a recent promotion in the hospital,’’ he said.

He said that the management tried to broker peace with the striking workers by explaining that it was only implementing the ministry’s directive.

“But the meetings ended in a deadlock. The workers insisted that the directives from the ministry should be ignored.

“We have also written to the Minister of Health that we have implemented the directive.

“So, we are waiting for the ministry to intervene; to reverse the order or not. I don’t have the capacity to reverse a ministerial directive.’’

He stressed that a committee had been set up to address the issue of skipping or not skipping the grade level in question.

“But the ministry has directed that the hospitals should implement its directives. That Grade Level in question is Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) 10.

“The workers want government to revert to the previous status by skipping CONHESS 10.’’

Mr Anthony Asiodu, the Chairman, Joint Action Committee, FMC, Asaba, said the strike was to demand for their rights.

He said that the hospital’s management held onto the release of their 2011 promotion result and other entitlements.

He said that the workers proceeded on indefinite strike when the promotion result was released without skipping the CONHESS 10.

He added that the workers had resolved not to go back until the management reversed its decision.

“The civil service rules say that as soon as you get to Grade Level 10, your next promotion moves you to Grade Level 12. There is no Grade Level 11.

“We have met with the Asagba of Asaba. We have explained ourselves. We were thinking that by now this matter would have been resolved.

The scheme of service says that we must move from Grade Level 10 to Grade Level 12,’’ Asiodu said.

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

3 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.