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NLNG TRAIN 7: TUC Affiliates Shut Down Operations For 11 Days Over Poor Wages … Picket Bonny LGA

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Both construction and economic activities have been paralysed for 11 days at the ever-busy construction sites of the ongoing NLNG Gas Train 7 project in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers Stateover poor pay packages and other allowances.
This follows the strike action embarked upon by the amalgamated unions under the umbrella of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), affiliates of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) working in CISCO and Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited/Nigeria in Bonny.
The two firms are the major companies handling the construction of facilities for the Train 7 gas project in the island area.
Sources said that the strike action has caused major setbacks in the expected time for the completion of the project,as the country looks forward to becoming one of the major gas exporting countries across the globe.
The protesting workers are also demanding for the recalling of over 60 members sacked by the two major contracting firms because of their membership of NAPO.
Speaking to journalists in Bonny,the National President of NAPO, Comrade Harold Bestowe, condemned the actions of the management of the two companies for interfering in the freedom and rights of workers to freely choose unions of their choice,adding that their action was a pure violation of the rights of the workers as enshrined in the Labour Act as well as the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He berated the companies for not finding ways to resolve the labour unrest, but instead forcing the workers to belong to preferred union of the company management’s choice.
The NAPO helmsman also accused the Bonny Local Government Council chairman of abandoning her responsibilities of maintaining peace and order in the area, alleging that she has turned herself as conduit to coarse workers to belong to pre-determined union against their choice.
He commended the workers for taking the bull by the horns to end what he called modern-day slavery employed by the companies operating in the area, and assured that he would continue to lead the protest until their demandsweremet.
“NAPO, today, Thursday, 15th September, 2022, starting from 5am, is going to inconvenience the Nigeria LNG at her exit road leading to the gas plant in Bonny LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria.
“This is as a result of efforts by her contractor, SAIPEM/Daewoo Unincorporated Joint Venture to put in place a system that is against the extant labour laws that protect freedom of association. Nigeria LNG has become an anti-labour organisation.
“We, the members of NAPO and other sister affiliate trade unions of TUC, are suffocating and we need a fresh air to breathe.
“It is now a matter of life and death situation that needs emergency response.
“Nigeria LNG must speak to end up the apartheid system where colour and race determine the wages of workers participating in the Nigeria LNG construction and maintenance workforce.
“Where the rights of freedom of association are breached and her facility is being used as a modern day slave camp instead of workplace.
“NAPO Say NO To ‘Monkey dey work but na bamboo dey chop system’
“NAPO Say NO To ‘Apartheid wage system in the Construction and Maintenance Department in Nigeria LNG Gas Plant terminal’
“NAPO Say NO ‘to imposition of Trade Union on Workers
“NAPO Say NO ‘to the interference of employer’s in the choice of workers to choose her union and her leadership for the purpose of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)’.”
Reacting to the workers’ allegation of interference,the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council,Dame Anengi Barasua, denied forcing the workers to belong to any labour union against their choice and wishes,adding that determining which union workers in the company join does not form part of her jurisdiction.
She, however,said she only invited the union executive and the management of the two companies to see how they can resolve the lingering crisis, and not to mingle into union matters.
“Union matters are not my jurisdiction. What I told the management of the two companies during the meeting was to reinstate the workers allegedly sacked,while the workers go back to work”, she stated.
In his response,the Manager,Human Resources,CISCO,MrCharles Omakoro, denied sacking any worker because of union matters, but argued that the decision was premised on the fact that the company was winding down its contract with NLNG as regards the project.
“We have few works, and we cannot continue to keep many people when there are few jobs to do”, he stated.
However,the Project Manager of DEAWOO E &C Nigeria, LNG Project, Bonny,Yeosan Kim,in his response,, declined to speak on the real reasons why the company sacked the workers,adding that he was not incharge of union matters in the company.
Also,a Senior Admin Officer in the company simply called, Mr Clifford, said he was not authorised to speak on behalf the company, and referredThe Tideto Mr
Similarly, Andy Jaja and Matthew Duru, who are incharge of public affairs, and community and security matters, respectively, refused to pick their calls or reply text messages sent to their various mobile lines.

By: Amadi Akujobi

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Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama 

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The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.
According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.
He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.
According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.
He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.
“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.
Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.
“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.
“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.
“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.
“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.
In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.
He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.
While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.
Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.
He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community
Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.
Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.
She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.
Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.
Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.
She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.
By: John Bibor
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Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants 

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The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.
He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.
He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.
The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.
He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.
He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.
Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.
According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.
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NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.
The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.
Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.
Dr. Ogbuku  represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.
He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.
 “ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust  and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.
 when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated
He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.
Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.
In his  keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,
Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.
The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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