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FG Adopts 16-Point N’Delta Demand

Published

8 years ago

January 23, 2017

The Federal Government may have adopted the 16-point demand presented by Niger Delta leaders, under the aegis of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), as a working document to help resolve the crisis in the oil-rich region.
The PANDEF leaders hinted, last Saturday, that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo spoke about Federal Government’s favourable disposition to the 16-point demand being adopted as a working document to end the Niger Delta crisis when he led a high-powered delegation to the region, beginning with Delta State, last Monday.
Osinbajo is expected to visit two other Niger Delta states – Rivers and Akwa Ibom – as part of the peace shuttle to the region.
The 16-point demand, prepared by PANDEF, under the leadership of Ijaw leader and a former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, was presented to Buhari when the group met the President at the Presidential Villa on November 1, 2016.
PANDEF, in a statement, last Saturday, by a member of its Central Working Committee (CWC), said: “PANDEF notes with satisfaction the pronouncement made by His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on the adoption of its position paper, containing well-articulated 16 item dialogue issues, as a working document for the attainment of sustainable peace, equity, justice and development in the Niger Delta region, during his fact-finding visit to Delta State on Monday, January 16, 2017.”
The Clark-led group said it was confident that the Vice President’s visit had afforded him the “opportunity to interact for peace and fruitful engagement with the long-neglected and marginalised people of the Niger Delta,” saying the 16-item dialogue document embodies the core, broad and vexed issues that cut across every segment of the nationalities in the coastal states of the region.
“PANDEF is impressed that beyond rhetoric, the Federal Government has given definite approval for the opening of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, as well as the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) comprising the Gas City Project at Ogidigben and the Deep Seaport in Gbaramatu, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State. These projects, when fully operational, will definitely cause a turn-around of the socio-economic and security landscape of not just Delta State, but the entire country,” PANDEF stated.
The group, however, said that while it was quick to place on record that beyond the pronouncement, which has elicited joy in the region”, the Federal Government must move the necessary steps further to fast-track the implementation of the Niger Delta projects.
“PANDEF sympathised with Mr. President on the accidental bombing of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Rann, Borno State, by the Nigerian Air Force, which led to the death of several IDPs.
“PANDEF condoles with the families of those who lost their lives and the injured victims in this unfortunate incident. It is our prayer that God will give the families of the dead the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses, while wishing the wounded, a quick recovery,” the group added. “PANDEF, however, wishes to maintain that dialogue remains the most sustainable process for the resolution of the lingering Niger Delta question.
This is in tandem with Mr. President’s edifying remark in his New Year Message on January 1, 2017 where he said “….We must continue to support and tolerate one another and live together as one. We will continue to pursue peace initiatives in the Niger Delta as I again, call on our brothers in that region who have taken to violent disruptions of economic infrastructure to come to the negotiating table…”
“PANDEF congratulates Mr. President for this speech of statesmanship. We, therefore, add that one sure way of achieving Mr. President’s dream of coming to the negotiation table is for the Federal Government to set up its negotiating team to commence the process of dialogue with PANDEF.
“We hereby appeal to our youths and all aggrieved stakeholders to continue to maintain peace, and eschew any act of vandalism and destruction of vital national assets, and the ecosystem. Let us give the Federal Government a chance to carry out its plans for the development of the Niger Delta region,” he said.
Also, last Saturday, a former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor P.Z. Aginighan, said the fact-finding visit of Osinbajo to Gbaramatu Kingdom and Iwere Kingdom as well as his engagement with Niger Delta leaders at the Petroleum Training Institute Conference Centre, Effurun, has brightened the prospects of peace founded on socio-economic justice in the Niger Delta.
Aginighan, who explained that the visit underscored the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta, said in a statement: “There can be no stronger expression of Federal Government’s understanding of the situation in Niger Delta than the pronouncement by the Vice President that the region should be treated as a special development zone.
“The Federal Government’s commitment to the take-off the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, and the Gas City Project at Ogidigben gives a ray of hope that the oil-rich but hitherto alienated coastal belt of Delta State will be integrated into the mainstream of national development”.
It would be recalled that the 16-Point Demands include; the Presidential Amnesty Programme; Law and Justice Issues; the Effect of Increased Military Presence in the Niger Delta; plight of Internally Displaced Persons; the Ogoni Clean-up and Environmental Remediation; the Maritime University Issue; key Regional Critical Infrastructure; Security Surveillance and Protection of Oil and Gas Infrastructure; and relocation of Administrative and Operational Headquarters of IOCs to the region.
Others are improved Power Supply to the region; Economic Development and Empowerment; Inclusive Participation in Oil Industry and Ownership of Oil Blocs; Restructuring and Funding of the NDDC; Strengthening the Niger Delta Ministry; the Bakassi Question; and Fiscal Federalism.

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RSG Commits To Workers’ Welfare …. Calls For Sustained Govt, Labour Partnership

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2025

The Tide

The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.

The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.

He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.

Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.

He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.

Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.

“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.

The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.

He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.

The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.

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Labour Unions In Rivers Call For Improved Standard Living For Workers

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.

The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.

“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.

Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.

According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.

“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.

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Tinubu committed to unlocking Nigeria’s potential – Shettima

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.

Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.

He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.

The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.

“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.

” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”

He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.

According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.

Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.

“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”

The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.

” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.

The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.

Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.

” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.

“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”

Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.

“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.

“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.

Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.

The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.

He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.

He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.

Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.

He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.