News
NCSU Begs Fubara To Pay N35, 000 Salary Award, Christmas Bonus
The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Rivers State Council, has appealed to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to implement without further delay the N35,000 salary award approved by the Federal Government for all workers in the country to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy, as well as pay Christmas bonus to civil servants in the State.
It would be recalled that since the administration of Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, civil servants in the State had not been paid Christmas bonus.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt urged Governor Fubara to pay this month the approved N35,000 salary award and Christmas bonus to the civil servants to enable them celebrate seamlessly the Christmas festivities with their counterparts across the country.
According to him, civil servants in the State had for several years been denied Christmas bonus by successive administrations that never had the interest of the people at heart.
He, however, noted that the Governor Fubara administration would have before now implemented the N35, 000 salary award for the workers if not for the temporary setback caused by the ill-fated impeachment saga in the State.
Nonetheless, Osumah said the Rivers State Government ought to have started implementing the salary award since September when it was approved; adding that further delay of the implementation would entail unnecessary accumulation of the arrears.
He expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would do the needful to make civil servants in the State comfortable and happy again, particularly during the forthcoming Christmas festivities, since he was himself a civil servant before his election to the exalted position of Governor of the State.
The labour leader used the opportunity to reaffirm the unflinching support of the workers to the present administration, going by its giant development strides within a short period of time, and recalled that the civil servants had within the past eight years of the previous administration passed through excruciating pains, a situation he said Governor Fubara would remedy and once again put smiles on the faces of the workers.
While wishing the Governor well on the forthcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, Osumah called on the workers to continue to rally round the present administration as well as improve on their productivity through a greater sense of dedication and commitment to their duties.
He also commended Governor Fubara for the recent move of his administration to build 20,000 low cost houses and a befitting motor spare parts market in Port Harcourt, describing the initiative as a welcome development that would equally create job opportunities for the teeming youths of the State.
He said the union is particularly grateful to the Governor for the recent promotion of the workers who were for over 10 years stagnated, saying it is heart-warming that the present administration was the one that implemented the promotion as well as paid the accruing arrears to some of the workers.
Osumah equally expressed delight that the Port Harcourt Ring Road project initiated by the present administration is on course, as houses have already been demolished on some routes to pave way for the full take-off of the project, and applauded Governor Fubara for the bold initiative.
He, however, stressed the need for the administration to revive the payment of housing and car loans to civil servants in the State, a policy he said was reinforced by the Peter Odili administration with over N200million set aside for that purpose.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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