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C’River NLC Says No Going Back On Indefinite Strike …Even As Affiliate Unions Back Out
The relationship between the government of Cross River and the State wing of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) got soared over the weekend when the Organized Labour declared an indefinite strike over an alleged refusal of government to settle 8-point wages-related demands of the NLC.
Briefing newsmen, the NLC Chairman, Comrade Ben Ukpepi, lamented that all efforts to cause Governor Ben Ayade to see reasons why he should accede to the demands had fallen on deaf ears as workers, whose names were delisted from payroll and those who were yet to be captured after working since 2018 with official appointment letters, were still suffering.
According to him 1,885 workers have had their names removed from payroll without any explainable reason while more than 3,000 workers formally employed in 2018 and working since then were yet to be officially captured in the state payroll.
He said the decision to embark on strike was taken after days of warning strike had elapsed without government blinking an eye, and noted “it is obvious the Cross River state government does not take the welfare of its workers seriously. This assertion is made on the premise that plethora of workers’ issues presented to the government have been neglected and left unattended to.”
The NLC Chief enumerated Organized Labour’s demands to include: “payment of outstanding gratuities to both State and local government retirees from 2014; implementation of promotion from both State and local government workers; immediate return of names of workers removed from payroll and immediate return of weigh-in allowance to radio, television, theatre arts and paper printing workers in the state.”
According to him, other demands are: “the immediate payrolling of about 2000 workers recruited and have been working since 2018; immediate return of salary structures of workers of college of health technology, Calabar; immediate payment of balance of 30 percent of CONHESS to health workers, and payment of new hazard allowance for medical and health workers in the State.”
The NLC Chairman therefore advised “all workers to stay at home from Monday 29th June, 2020 until government attends to all the lingering Labour issues,” and charged workers not to be intimidated.
When asked on the issue of some affiliate unions pulling out of the strike action as rumoured, Comrade Ukpepi said “the Nigerian Labour Congress in Cross River state is made up of 46 affiliate unions. It is only one that is saying the strike is untimely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If one pulls out, the remaining 45 affiliate unions are together and the strike will commence from Monday. No time is the best time for those who served this state meritoriously to be paid their entitlement. Which time is the right time when we have been on this matter since last year?”
The Labour leader dismissed an injunction from the State High court allegedly initiated by the government to stop the strike, saying the Calabar-based government should have taken the Organized Labour to the industrial court where labour issues are handled.
“Are they going to court because workers are asking for their right?
For us, we do not recognize the injunction from the State High court because they lack the jurisdiction to handle this matter, and not only that, we have gone to an appeal. The court Order from the High Court has nothing to do with our strike which officially commences on Monday,” the NLC chairman submitted.
From Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries
The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government
The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu
The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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