Labour Is Dead, Says Gov Wike

It was another week-long project galore as the Rivers State Governor and Nigeria’s “Mr Projects”, rolled out more key projects executed under his administration.  Among the projects inaugurated last week were; Rumuji-Ibaa-Obelle-Isiokpo  Road , Hostels and Classrooms Complex of the Real Madrid Academy, the 6.1km Omuihuechi-Omuoko-Omokiri Road in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area and the ultra-moderm state Secretariat building of the Trade Union Congress  (TUC).

Speaking during the inauguration of the 16.1km Rumuji-Ibaa-Obelle-Isiokpo Road which spans across Emohua and Ikwerre Local  Government  Areas, Governor  Wike said his development programme was basically implemented to create a conducive environment that offered more opportunities to Rivers people to actualise their potentials.

The Governor who remarked that the road had been a victim of failed campaign promises, explained that politicians had severaly promised the people that they would rehabilitate the road if they supported  them , only for them  to turn their eyes the other way when elections were over. He said it was time to hold politicians accountable to their words.

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido who did the official commissioning of the project expressed delight that the development projects were not only executed in Port Harcourt, the state capital, but also in the hinterlands. He stated that leaders like Governor Wike had continued to demonstrate that it was only PDP that was committed to the well-being of the people.

The Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Akin Dare, inaugurated the classrooms and hostels of Real Madrid Academy last Tuesday. He expressed delight at the facilities and declared that Governor Wike had laid a standard for football development.

Also last week, Governor Wike  dressed down labour movement in the country for what he described as their indifference to some anti-people policies, such as incessant increment in pump  price of  petroleum  products,  electricity tarriff and insecurity in the country  under the  APC- led Federal Government.

According to him, the  labour movement in the country is dead having lost  its force of engagement with government.  Governor Wike said labour  leadership had  left substance to pursue shadows , so could hardly  speak in a manner that could change or achieve reversal of the many anti-poeple policies.

He said under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership of labour mobilised Nigerian workers against some of his policies because he is from a minority ethnic group, but had  lost its voice under a president from the majority tribe.

Speaking during the inauguration of the new TUC Secretariat built by his administration in the state,  Governor Wike said his administration provided the Secretariat to strengthen the independence of  Labour to enable it perform its duties effectively.

The Secretariat which was officially inaugurated by the National President of TUC, Quadric Olaleye, is a three-storey building with 16 offices, 500 capacity auditorium, a conference room, 14 toilets across floors and 100 KVA generator among other modern facilities.

Another major event which took place in Government House Port Harcourt within the week under review, was the meeting of South-South Governors last Monday.

Chairman of the South-South Forum and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who addressed the press after the meeting said the Governors demanded that 10 per cent Host Community Trust Fund to be included in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) being considered at the National Assembly.

Okowa said: “ We took up the issue of the PIB, the Petroleum Industry Bill which is already before the House, and having compared notes with ourselves, we are of the view that while we welcome the Host Community Trust Fund, we do believe that the 2.5 per cent that is appropriated in that bill for the purpose of host community fund is inadequate”.

The Governors noted that if oil host Communities feel satisfied with the provisions of the funds for them in the bill, they would more likely be watchdog of the nation’s oil facilities in their domains on behalf of the oil companies, the state and Federal Government adding that this situation guarantee greater production.

The South-South Governors Forum also expressed dissatisfaction over the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) particularly the style of Interim Management Committee or Interim Administrator being adopted by the Federal Government.

According to the forum, the situation  does not give equal opportunity to all states of the region to be fairly represented in the board of the Commission.

The forum therefore demanded that whenever the board of the NDDC is constituted, the advisory council must be called upon to play it’s role to ensure there is checks and balances.

Also last week the Rivers State Chief Executive addressed the PDP South South Zonal Congress held last Tuesday in Port Harcourt. He noted that the zone is the strength of the party and charged members to always conduct themselves as members of a party that is committed to take over power in 2023.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Gov Nyesom Wike and other dignitaries attended the funeral service of the late oil Magnet, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, last Saturday at Abonnema in Akuku Toru Local Government Area.

By: Chris Oluoh