The Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, has declared that his administration is working in partnership with organised labour in the state to protect and promote welfare of workers.

The state governor stated this at the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Rivers State Council’s 4th triennial state delegates conference held at Hotel  Presidential, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

The governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said the vision and polices of the state government were people-oriented.

The governor said  millions of workers had no representation and social security, stressing that the TUC should always seek to protect the interest of the  under-represented workers in the society.

He said the problem of Nigerian was the elite and members of the cabal who formulate policies that are inconsistent with the working class of Nigeria, stressing that such inconsistencies had become culture of impunity.

The governor said that the state government would soon embark on the construction of the Mother and Child Hospital, stressing that the state had completed the building of 500 primary schools across the state with 100 of such schools already in use while 120 primary health centres are completed and already in use.

The state Chief Executive said the government’s Nne Krukrubo model school at Eleme recently admitted 700 students, stressing that government has the obligation to provide laptops and other items to the students.

He said towards making life comfortable and ease traffic jam in the state, the government embarked on the rehabilitation of 10 federal roads after such roads were abandoned by the Federal Government.

Governor Amaechi urged the TUC to always ensure that the dignity of the working class was respected as the state government would always accord prompt attention and other fringe benefits due to workers.

The state governor reassured members and leadership of the union of  government’s commitment of assisting in building a befitting secretariat  for the union.

Earlier, the National President of TUC, Comrade Peter Esele had described Amaechi as a labour-friendly governor who deserved the support of the organised labour in Nigeria.

Comrade Esele said Governor Amaechi deserved to be called a comrade” for his administration’s interest to protect and promote the welfare of workers in the state.

The TUC boss urged members of the union to build institution within the TUC and not personality, stressing that institutions ensure the survival of the union for effective struggles and cohesion.

Meanwhile, the theme of the 4th triennial state delegates conference was titled ‘ Building the Nigeria of Our Dream, and chaired by retired Commodore Ebitu  Ukiwe.

Guest lecturers include Dr Udenta O Udenta, former Director, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, the Presidency, Abuja and Ade Adeogun, Sole Administrator, Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has called for party discipline and commitment among its faithfuls, saying only respect for the party’s leadership can assist it consolidate the virile democratic institutions and culture it had laid in Rivers Stare in the past decade. Asserting that discipline stands as key to party growth and electoral victory, the PDP however said it will no longer fold its arms while certain persons continue in their efforts to discredit the party and leadership of its Rivers State Chairman, Chief Godspower Ake.

The party had therefore hinted of severe consequences to include possible disciplinary sanctions to be applied against continued deviance.

Reacting to rumours of an impending dissolution of the Rivers State Executive and removal from office of the party Chairman, the State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. George Ukwuoma-Nwogba in a statement in the state capital, noted that such rumours were the handiwork of mischief-makers and fifth columnists rented by certain disgruntled social deviants in the mould of politicians to cause rifts, describing them as enemies of democracy. “Their stock-in trade is to feast off the laps of their sponsors so long as their pockets are stuffed full with crisp currencies. We will soon unmask them,” Ukwuoma-Nwogba said.

The PDP publicity secretary harped on total loyalty, solidarity and support for the leadership of Chief Ake, whom he described as a rare gift to the politics of Rivers State.

The PDP spokesman described as an ill-wind, the rumour of the inpending dissolution of the Rivers State PDP executive, saying that so far, the current executive had built internal blocks for resolution of real or seeming divergent views.

“In a family as large as the PDP, and as is familiar with all democracies, views could vary but the PDP had instituted mechanisms for conflict resolutions. It’s therefore undemocratic, diversionary and mischievous for any member of our great party to resort to rumour peddling as a means to catching attention. The PDP shall no longer tolerate such deviant behaviour. We will not harbour mischief makers who have been hired to act the mole in the house,” Ukwuoma-Nwogba stated.

The PDP spokesman warned that failure of such moles in the party to retrace their footsteps would leave the PDP with no option but to apply the big stick as prescribed by its Constitution.

“The PDP is giving such members time to repent and follow the path of restitution. Failure will force the party to invoke relevant disciplinary sections of the party’s Constitution. The party must maintain discipline among its faithfuls and would not spare anyone who may act parallel to rules and other statutory prescriptions.”

While calling for absolute, irrevocable support for the party and leadership of Chief Ake, Ukwuoma-Nwogba, reiterated.

Philip Okparaji