News
Workers Day: LG Bosses Blast FG Over ASUU Strike, Banditry, Insecurity, Inflation, Food Scarcity
Chairmen of Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre and Emohua local government councils, Barrister George Ariolu, Engr Samuel Nwanosike and Dr Chidi Lloyd, respectively, have advocated for improved collaboration and partnership between governments and workers to further bring about sustainable development and good governance that would improve the welfare and wellbeing of the people.
They said their administrations were vehemently committed to service delivery, adding that they have put in place worker-friendly policies that have ensured prompt and regular payment of salaries and other entitlements.
They boasted that the councils have recorded more tangible and demonstrable dividends of democracy to show, and described the relationship with workers at the areas as cordial.
Ariolu, who was represented by the Obio/Akpor Council Secretary, made this remark in a ceremony organised by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), while addressing workers at the Council Headquarters in Rumuodomanya.
According to the chairman, workers have continued to enjoy a more robust, friendly and crisis-free relationship which has precipitated increase in productivity and efficiency.
He further disclosed that his administration has provided conducive working environment which has given rise to more workers’ friendly policies.
He added that the 2022 workers day commemorates a celebration of courage, patriotism, tenacity, nationalism and dogged determination of Nigerian workers and unionists in the fight against oppression, victimization, repression, persecution and negligence orchestrated by the bad leadership of APC-led Federal Government.
Similarly, he questioned workers patience to be tied to the apron stake of irresponsible leadership of a government that is unconcerned about the welfare and wellbeing of its citizens, urging them to get their PVCs, be prepared to vote out the current leadership and vote in a government that will stand firm to extinguish corruption, value human lives instead of cows and respect rule of law, equity and justice, which according to him, is the emphasis of the 2022 workers day theme, “Labour, Politics and the Quest for Good Governance and Development”.
While lambasting the APC-led Federal Government over the continuous strike embarked upon by ASUU, banditry, insecurity, terrorism, inflation, food scarcity, amongst others, he assured workers that his administration instead of dwelling on existing standard would continue to implement programmes and policies that would continue to improve the welfare and wellbeing of the people.
Ariolu while commending workers, beckoned on workers to continue to partner and cooperate with his administration in moving the local government and state forward in terms of development.
Also speaking while addressing workers at the council headquarters at Isiokpo, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike, described Nigerian workers, especially workers of Ikwerre LGA, as passionate and dedicated individuals who always put in their best while discharging their duties.
He stressed that May 1 was set aside to celebrate workers due to their important roles in the economy, adding that they were the engine room in government’s functionality.
Nwanosike assured the workers that he would continue to work hand-in-glove with them in bettering the lives of Ikwerre people, saying that this year’s theme, “Labour, Politics, and the Quest for Good Governance and Development”, was apt.
He called on workers to keep supporting him in the fight against oil bunkering and social vices, noting that a healthy environment guarantees longevity.
In his remarks, Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Dr Chidi Lloyd, congratulated workers in the area for their hard work and resilience since the inception of his administration.
Lloyd thanked EMOLGA workers for cueing into his administration’s vision of repositioning the area and changing the narrative about the area, with a view to making it stand out in the comity of local government areas in Nigeria.
He enjoined workers to live up to expectations as partners in the development of the area.
“As Nigeria commemorates this day, I want to specially congratulate every worker in Emohua Local Government Area for their hard work and resilience since the beginning of our administration.
“Some of you have cooperated with us and cued into our mandate of making Emohua the LGA to reckon with in Rivers state and Nigeria at large.
“As the theme of this year’s International Workers Day goes, ‘Labour, Politics, and the Quest for Good Governance and Development’, I want to enjoin all workers in Emohua LGA to bear in mind that they are largely responsible for the development of our LGA and as such they are expected to take their duties seriously.
“As the saying goes, “the reward for success is more work” we are not to relent or stop at the achievements so far, there is still a lot to do in building our LGA
“More importantly, in the phase of the war against oil theft and oil bunkering in Rivers State ably led by the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, we want to ask that every worker in Emohua makes this fight to stop oil bunkering their topmost concern and support us.
“Our administration is committed to ensuring a serene environment for all resident and those doing businesses in Emohua LGA, and we will not stop chasing these unscrupulous workers of doom who think they can make our LGA a hub for lawlessness and illegality”, Lloyd said.
He further wished all workers in the area a happy and peaceful 2022 workers day celebration.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
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