Union Urges RSG To Rescind Order On TIMARIV

The Amalgamated Union
of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Rivers State council has appealed to the Governor, of the state, Chief (Barrister)  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, to rescind his decision of disbanding or scrapping the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Agency (TIMARIV), as it would have an adverse effect on the workers and their dependants considering the harsh economic realities.
The union in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency State Executive Council meeting last Thursday and signed by the state Chairman, Comrade Henry Urombo and the secretary, Comrade Adeleke Johnson stated that TIMARIV, an affiliate of the Union is a creation of the Rivers State Road Traffic Law No6 of 2009, and that section 50, sub-section 1 c clearly stipulates the condition of service and declares them public servants guided by the public service rules.
It stated that the union received the news of the disbandment with dismay as the staff of the Authority with a staff strength of over 706 duly employed and confirmed as enshrined in the public service rule were currently owed eight months salaries since October 2014 till May 2015.
The communiqué further stated that the disbandment will lead to increase in the rate of unemployment in the state and called on the Governor to clear the backlog of salaries owed the workers, stressing that the disbandment of the Authority goes contrary to the provisions of the law establishing TIMARIV.
The Union also noted that it had made several complaints to the immediate past administration on the poor management of the Authority, but to no avail, and suggested that an independent investigative audit be carried out to x-ray the poor administrative style of the management and a proper board be put in place as well as restructure the management cadre for effective services to the people of the state.
It, however, called on the Rivers State Government to fully integrate the workers of TIMARIV into the government central payroll system, and reiterated that  the disbandment be rescinded accordingly as to follow due process as applicable, assuring that the union had earlier promised to partner with the present government in involving a mutual and beneficial industrial relation practice with the government for a successful tenure.
It would be recalled that the Rivers State Government through its Special Adviser  on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah had announced the disbandment of TIMARIV on June 17, 2015.

Stories by Collins Barasimeye