Niger Delta
CMD Clears Air On Staff Salary Arrears
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, Prof. Thomas Agan, has cleared the air on the issue of oustanding salaries allegedly being owed staff of the medical institution, insisting that, as at date, no staff of the hospital was being owed any dime as personal emolument.
Agan, who stated this in a chat with newsmen in his office in Calabar, explained that “In the month of October, November and December, we had shortfall which was a national matter. In fact, the first two hospitals to be affected were Federal Teaching Hospital, Irua, in Northern Edo, and Federal Medical Centre, Yenogoa.”
According to him, “Last year, the Federal Government reduced personnel allocation to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by minimum of 10 per cent, and most of us who knew this told our staff that we are going to have shortfall and that they may not receive October salary but they took us unserious. I was even blackmailed that I put their money in MMM, I don’t know what MMM means. Such is not possible because you don’t touch people’s money as they have wives and husbands who depend on them.”
“Luckily enough”, he said, “the Federal Government had since corrected it as money was sourced and paid to all MDAs that had shortfalls, including teaching hospitals. So, when people said we ate their money, going around blackmailing us, I look at them and just laugh because there is no truth in it. The teaching hospital in Calabar and most teaching hospitals in this country do not owe.”
Throwing more light on the promotion arrears within the hospital system, he said, it dates back to 2013 when IPPIS came in, stressing that the Federal Government has not been paying promotion arrears since 2013.
“For now, 2014, 2015, 2016 and part of 2013 promotion arrears have not been paid. The government has calculated it, it is in the budget office and all that is needed is for the Federal Minister of Finance to authorize cash –backing. The government is doing their best to ensure that civil servants in the health sector do not suffer unnecessarily because it is their right,not a privilege,” he explained.
On the recent agitation of the Resident Doctors, Agan said, for now, “we owe resident doctors their sponsorship allowance, and we are appealing to them to exercise some patience that by God’s grace, the government will take into consideration some of these things. Some of these things are things that if we look critically inwards, we can solve.”
Commenting on the outsourced services in the hospital, the CMD agreed that some of the services being rendered by staff were outsourced, but quickly pointed out that some of the staff were security personnel, cleaners, laundry and many others, the implication being that “a contractor will now bid for it and then recruit people to come and do those jobs. Unfortunately, something went wrong, and since 2009 till date, government has not been funding it. So, there is no budgetary provision for outsourced services.
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.