Nation
Labour Tasks Govs On Workers’ Welfare
The organised labour has charged state governors to reduce cost of governance, block conduit pipes for corruption, create infrastructure development and improve welfare of workers in 2023.
Specifically, they called on governors that still owe salaries to add value to the lives of their workers by paying up their salaries
Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Funmi Sessi, who described 2022 as a difficult year for workers, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for prompt payment of workers’ salaries.
Sessi, who urged other governors to emulate Sanwo-Olu, said the Governor also promised to increase salaries due to the economic downturn and announced a 100 per cent end of year bonus for the yuletide.
She urged other state governors to emulate Sanwo-Olu in making their workers happy too, through the reduction of cost of governance and blockage of conduit pipes for corruption.
On his part, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria(TUC), Lagos State Council, Gbenga Ekundayo, expressed hopes for a better administration and people that can take the right decision for the sake of the future.
Praying that leaders for once live by example, Ekundayo noted that the challenges in the nation affect everyone.
In his words, “import dependence has a direct impact on workers. Purchasing power keeps getting eroded with the devaluation and inflation, survival has become even more difficult.
“Take home that takes workers to the bus stop can even barely take them close to the bus stop now. It’s been challenging, especially with friends and families that have lost their jobs since COVID-19, who are dependent on those that have jobs”.
While commending Sanwo-Olu for improving workers’ welfare, he urged governors that owe workers salaries to desist from the wicked act.
Ekundayo said, “what they are doing is against God’s instructions on taking away food from people’s mouths and not paying workers their wages. We will get to that point where states that are not viable will be under states that are viable.
“Some states are not worthy to be alone and some governors are not worthy to be called governors. How on earth can governors not pay workers who have worked for them and they earn salaries?
“We will continue to tell them to do what is right. In as much as we continue to appeal, I hope it doesn’t get to a point that the workers in those states will need to take their destiny in their hands and deal decisively the way we do”.
Ekundayo further charged the governors to reduce the cost of governance and never to pass the burden on workers. We hope for a better tomorrow and we look for a 2023 that will be better with the view that we will fight for our members and improve our lot”.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
-
Niger Delta3 days agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
Sports3 days agoSimba open Nwabali talks
-
Nation3 days agoHoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Stakeholders Task INC Aspirants On Dev … As ELECO Promises Transparent, Credible Polls
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River
-
News5 days agoDon Lauds RSG, NECA On Job Fair
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNUPRC Unveils Three-pillar Transformative Vision, Pledges Efficiency, Partnership
-
Rivers3 days ago
Fubara Restates Continued Support For NYSC In Rivers