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2019: Wike Tasks Organised Labour On Credible Polls …Flags Off NLC Secretariat, Kira-Nonwa-Eteo Road Construction
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on the organised labour to lend its voice to the demand for credible elections in 2019.
Wike also urged the organised labour to join other prominent leaders to seek the re-organisation of the nation’s security infrastructure for the safety of all Nigerians.
He spoke, last Friday, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when he granted audience to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba.
The governor said: “This country belongs to all of us. Labour can no longer keep quiet on critical national issues. Labour should lend her voice on the issue of the overhaul of the security architecture.
“Labour should come out strongly to ensure that the 2019 General Elections are transparent and credible. Credible polls will lead to greater service to the people by elected officials”, Wike said.
The governor said that security agencies should not be seen to be stealing ballot boxes during elections, noting that such actions negatively affect the country’s image internationally.
He wondered why some leaders of the ruling party insist that performance should not be the yardstick for re-election.
“If projects cannot make people return to office, what should make people return to office? I know that 2019 will not be as easy as they think, because people are warming up to resist any form of political manipulation and rigging. Workers should show seriousness, so that votes must count”, he said.
Wike assured the workers of Rivers State that his administration would continue to improve on their welfare.
Earlier, the National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba commended the Rivers State governor for investing in the development of the state.
Wabba said: “We have seen landmark achievements, especially in the area of projects. We also appreciate the commitment and support of the Rivers State Government”.
The NLC president commended the Rivers State governor for the regular payment of salaries and pensions, stressing that the regular payment of salaries lubricates the state’s economy.
“I thank the governor for the continuous payment of salaries when others give excuses. Workers salaries have multiplier effect on the system”, he said.
The NLC president urged the Rivers State governor to use the state chapter of the NLC to always interface with Rivers workers.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has flagged off the construction of the state Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Speaking during the ground-breaking event in Port Harcourt, last Friday, performed by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Wike stated that the state government would also finance the construction of the Rivers State Secretariat of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Wike said that the state government was embarking on the projects in appreciation of the cordial working relationship with Rivers workers.
He said: “We have worked harmoniously with labour. They have not troubled this administration with unnecessary strikes. In order to build stability, we have set up a structure that will enhance the performance of labour.
“This project must be completed by December. I don’t want to hear excuses. The contractor has been mobilised. We will also build a secretariat for the Trade Union Congress”.
He said that the Bureau for Special Projects was handling the construction of the NLC Secretariat because the administration was committed to the delivery of projects in line with the approved specifications and schedule.
Wike announced that the one-month salary of health workers withheld due to their illegal strike would be paid because of the intervention of the NLC president.
He added that the results of accumulated promotion interview of teachers would be released to them, while that of other workers would be addressed in due course.
Performing the flag off, NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba lauded the Rivers State governor for taking steps to improve the working condition of workers.
Wabba said: “This will go down in history as a landmark as you are one of the governors who has worked with labour for a better society”.
He said that the partnership between labour and the Rivers State Government would lead to faster development in Rivers State.
Wabba said: “Once workers are happy, they will put in their best, and the state will benefit in terms of development”.
The NLC president added that the congress was overwhelmed by the gesture of the Rivers State Government, which would advance the productive relationship between labour and the government.
“Workers and employers are supposed to be partners in progress. It is when we partner together that we will be able to deliver on our various mandates. This is commendable, and I urge that it should continue”, the NLC president said.
In her remarks, Rivers State NLC Chairman, Comrade Beatrice Itubo said that by constructing the Rivers State Secretariat of the congress, Wike has shown goodwill, which would be reciprocated by the workers.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Special Projects, Alabo George Kerley said Wike has enhanced governance through his projects’ revolution.
He said the new secretariat would be a modern three-storey building with a fortified foundation to carry five storeys.
It would be recalled that the Rivers NLC Secretariat was gutted by fire in 2015.
Since then, the congress has been operating in a makeshift apartment.
The event was witnessed by labour leaders and women groups, while different traditional dance groups entertained guests.
Similiarly, in continuation of its state-wide projects delivery, Rivers State Government, last Saturday, flagged off the construction of the Kira-Nonwa-Barayira-Sime-Eteo Road in Tai Local Government Area.
The 10.2-kilometre road cuts across Tai, Eleme, Oyigbo and Obio/Akpor local government areas of the state.
The Tide learnt that the road had been abandoned for 50 years by previous administrations.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike stated that all the 23 local government areas of the state have benefited from key projects in the last three years.
Wike said: “This is just three years, and we have reached the 23 local government areas. Let anyone come from any local government area, come forward to say that we have not executed project in his council.”
The governor commended the people of Tai Local Government Area for their patience over the years, noting that more projects would be executed in the area.
“You have been patient. By next week, you will get your commissionership appointment. There will be more projects for the people of the area”, he assured.
The governor advised the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to focus on addressing the security challenges claiming thousands of lives in the country, instead of investing resources on rigging elections in Rivers State.
The governor said: “No amount of distraction will stop me from working. I have a contract with the people, and I will fulfil the contract”.
Wike berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for having a factional chairman who is facing multiple murder charges because they want to cause bloodletting in the state.
Performing the flag off of the construction of the road, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio said God has endorsed Rivers State governor for rapidly developing the state.
Akpabio said: “Even God himself is happy with Governor Wike because of his good works. Propaganda cannot win a war. What wins a war are men and material on ground. For Governor Wike, his numerous projects will win the election for him”.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor stated that Nigerians need performing leaders like Wike as testified by the APC-led federal lawmaker.
Akpabio urged Wike never to be distracted by the criticisms of his political enemies, noting that the political foes of the Rivers State governor would only witness his political victory.
Also speaking, member of the House of Representatives representing Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency, Barry Mpigi said though he was a member of the APC, Wike deserves a second term on the basis of his performance.
Mpigi said Wike was the only person with the capacity to drive the growth of the state, adding that the issue of Rivers development transcends party affiliation.
In his remarks, Rivers State Works Commissioner, Hon Dumnamene Dekor said that the road would create 210 direct jobs for the people of Tai and Eleme local government areas, and also boost the economy of the areas.
The Gbenemene Tua-Tua Tai, King Samuel Nne said the people of the area were happy with Wike for his commitment to the development of the state.
Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the scheme in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance last Friday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area in the State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation course.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Promise Oguzie, the governor said the State Government would remain intentional in providing the necessary support to improve the NYSC scheme and enhance the experiences of corps members deployed to the state.
He charged the corps members to be role models and quality nation-builders in their service to the good people of Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria at large.
“I charge you to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do. Take full advantage of all the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves”, he said.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe, urged corps members to see their deployment to Rivers State as a “veritable opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the growth of the State in particular and Nigeria at large.”
He further charged them to serve with all sense of “integrity, discipline, and the fear of God, especially when they will be engaged as INEC ad-hoc staff that will conduct the 2027 general elections.”
A total of 3,584 corps members composed of 1,421 males and 2,163 females were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who was represented by Justice Godspower Aguma.
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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