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RSG Set To Pay Workers’ Salaries …Condemns Protest In PH
The Rivers State Government has assured that it has concluded plans to pay workers their salaries for the month of April, next week.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, admitted yesterday, that the government owed workers’ salaries for April, insisting that the March salaries of workers have been paid.
Semenitari, who was reacting to complaints that the state government was still owing civil servants two months’ salary, said that Rivers State Government was one of the few states that have remained consistent in the payment of workers’ salaries.
She also disclosed that the state government had been able to sustain itself mainly because of the increase in the internally-generated revenue (IGR), which rose from N2billion to over N7billion monthly.
“I can beat my chest to say that we are the only state aside Lagos that has paid salaries up-to-date. We have paid up to March, and we plan to pay April salaries from next week”, Semenitari said.
“April ended few days ago. And you should remember that some states are still owing their workers eight months, six months, four months salaries. Rivers State is able to pay because it does not rely on FAC. It depends on its IGR to pay. Our IGR has moved from N2billion to N9billion,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has condemned the needless violent protest yesterday in Port Harcourt over the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries, saying that the government has “consistently shown good faith in our dealings with all categories of persons”.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, who made the condemnation in a statement, Monday, in reaction to a protest by some persons claiming to be staff of the Rivers State Ministry of Sports, who are allegedly owned eight months’ salary, assured that the government would “continue to ensure the payment of staff salaries because it believes that the welfare of its workers must be paramount in governance.”
According to her, “while the Government of Rivers State will not wish to join issues with the demonstrators, it wishes to note that all civil servants employed by the Government of Rivers State have been paid salaries up to the month of March, with plans to commence payment of April salaries”.
She noted that the government “will not treat with levity matters concerning other staff in its employ who while they may not be civil servants, are ad-hoc staff deserving of fair treatment.
“Government, however, must verify all claims by persons who may be so employed to enable it compute what salaries and wages are due these categories of persons and address the matter as may be most appropriate”, she pointed out.
Semenitari said “while we appreciate the challenges many persons face in our country today, we dare say that it is curious that this protest is coming on the heels of spurious and mischievous allegations by some persons that the Rivers State Government is indebted to its workers.
“The Rivers State Government, for the avoidance of doubt, reiterates its commitment to its workers, and promises that it will meet all obligations to all persons in its employ”, Semenitari added.
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.
