Nation
PENGASSAN Threatens Strike
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has threatened to suspend operations over the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly.
PENGASSAN’s President, Mr Babatunde Ogun, gave the warning in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday.
The statement warned that if politicians cannot conduct themselves in a manner expected of their status, the union would not hesitate to withdraw the services of oil workers to ensure their safety.
“‘The state of fear that pervades Rivers is a threat to the lives and safety of oil and gas workers and the entire industry.”
It said that the crisis was an indication that the government may not be able to guarantee the security and protect the lives and property of the people.
It condemned the violent action in the assembly on Tuesday, describing it as ‘a slap on Nigeria’s democracy and the constitution.’
The statement said the crisis could lead to breakdown of law and order that could affect not only the state, but spread to other parts of the country if not nipped in the bud.
It stated that the violent action showed that some politicians lacked respect for the Constitution and elementary democratic decorum.
“That is why we would not risk the lives of our members and may have to withdraw them until the situation is under control”, it stressed.
The statement said it was regrettable to note that those trying to subvert democracy never fought for it.
“Several people, especially labour leaders, died for our democracy to be achieved. Some of us were incarcerated during the struggle to attain this democracy.”
The statement urged all parties and individuals involved in the crisis to take cognizance of the root causes of the crisis and pursue the path of peace by reconciling their differences.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has described the crisis which broke out in Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday as unparliamentary.
The congress stated this in a statement signed by Mr Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal, its President and General Secretary respectively, yesterday in Lagos.
It said that while Nigerians were yet to recover from the shock occasioned by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), another crisis has come from the Rivers lawmakers.
The congress said it was sad that the world watched agape as two factions in the assembly openly engaged in fisticuffs, and used dangerous weapons.
“The spectacle of honourable legislators turned pugilists can best be described as very dishonourable and a show of shame.
“They are proving that politics in Nigeria is seen more as a most lucrative business than a call to service.”
TUC said that the reasons for the crisis were not far from interests and aspirations in the 2015 elections.
It observed that the action of the lawmakers showed there was deep corruption in the nation’s political sector.
“The conclusion of any onlooker will be that the lawmakers have compromised with some form of political inducement or the promise thereof from either of the political gladiators.
“Little wonder that the honourable members cannot manage themselves properly and proved that are very dishonourable.
“TUC says ‘NO’ to any continuance of this show of shame, and insist that respective misguided yes-men in the River State House of Assembly cease forthwith from embarrassing Nigeria with their ill-advised power-play”.
It, however, commended the House of Representatives for passing a resolution that would enable it take over the functions of the assembly until peace returns.
The congress called on the Inspector General of Police and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, to maintain total impartiality and the highest level of professional conduct in the matter.
It also said that officers who overshot the limits of their lawful authority in the crisis should be disciplined to serve as deterrent to others.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
-
Niger Delta5 days agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
Sports5 days agoSimba open Nwabali talks
-
Nation5 days agoHoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
Stakeholders Task INC Aspirants On Dev … As ELECO Promises Transparent, Credible Polls
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River
-
Rivers5 days ago
Fubara Restates Continued Support For NYSC In Rivers
-
Oil & Energy5 days agoNUPRC Unveils Three-pillar Transformative Vision, Pledges Efficiency, Partnership
-
News5 days agoDiocese of Kalabari Set To Commence Kalabari University