News
Rivers NIMC Staff Join Indefinite Strike, Shut NIN Enrolment Centres
Members of staff of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Rivers State, yesterday, joined their counterparts in other states of the country to embark on an indefinite strike.
When The Tide visited the NIMC office, near Independent National Electoral Commission state office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt and a few other centres around Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas, hundreds of persons who had stormed the centres to participate in the registration process as early as 5am, were seen looking stranded.
The registrants were told by the aggrieved staff that they would not be attended to as a result of the industrial action.
One of the workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the staff of the agency took the decision to go on strike to demand better welfare package from the government.
According to him, the recent increase in the number of visitors at the office and other centres for registration of National Identification Number (NIN) has caused a lot of stress for the workers.
He added that the workers needed to be paid more for conducting the exercise, which he described as an extra duty.
They decried the lack of protective kits at the office, saying they could get infected with Covid-19 as they attend to hundreds of residents daily.
The situation at the NIMC office has left many residents stranded, including the elderly, pregnant women, and mothers who had gone there with their children.
Despite the development, the residents have failed to return to their homes, saying they were not notified that the workers would down tools.
They, however, continued to keep watch at the NIMC office with the hope that the striking workers would have a change of heart and attend to them.
Some of the applicants told The Tide that the Federal Government has no conscience despite sufferings by applicants, asking “why should workers not go on strike when they demanded that Covid-19 protocol should be followed without providing them with appropriate PPEs, and their allowances and other entitlements”.
They, however, expressed displeasure over the sudden strike by the workers, blaming the Federal Government for not putting their house in order before coming up with a failed programme.
The Tide learnt that the staff of the National Identity Management Commission embarked on the indefinite nation-wide strike to demand better welfare packages from the Federal Government.
Investigations show that the workers are protesting poor salary structure, lack of promotion and lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for prevention of Covid-19, among others.
It was gathered that some of the staff who contracted the virus were rejected by the management of the agency.
The strike followed a directive issued by the NIMC unit of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ACSN).
The National Task Force on NIN and SIM registration met on December 21, 2020, and agreed on three weeks registration which ends on January 19, 2021.
Efforts to reach the state coordinator of the agency failed, as The Tide was not allowed access into the offices, which were under lock and key.
But The Tide sighted a notice of the strike signed by the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), NIMC branch, Comrade Lucky Michael, and its Secretary, Comrade Odia Victor, respectively.
The notice directed that members on grade level 12 and below to report to their respective duty posts and “do nothing”.
“All members at the local government offices and special centres are advised to stay away from their various centres as task force and implementation committees would be on parade to ensure total compliance to the directive,” the statement read.
According to a communique, the union is angry over the state of NIMC enrollment centres across the country, especially in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, exposure of staff to Covid-19 risks, lack of personal protective equipment, irregularities in promotion, and poor funding.
The notice noted that staff members have been infected with the virus and that measures have not been put in place to curtail the spread.
“Staff members were infected with Covid-19 and adequate measures have not been taken to curtail the spread,” the unionists said.
The union also demanded to be paid overtime, and given enough tools to work with.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi