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NLNG TRAIN 7: TUC Affiliates Shut Down Operations For 11 Days Over Poor Wages … Picket Bonny LGA

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Both construction and economic activities have been paralysed for 11 days at the ever-busy construction sites of the ongoing NLNG Gas Train 7 project in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers Stateover poor pay packages and other allowances.
This follows the strike action embarked upon by the amalgamated unions under the umbrella of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), affiliates of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) working in CISCO and Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited/Nigeria in Bonny.
The two firms are the major companies handling the construction of facilities for the Train 7 gas project in the island area.
Sources said that the strike action has caused major setbacks in the expected time for the completion of the project,as the country looks forward to becoming one of the major gas exporting countries across the globe.
The protesting workers are also demanding for the recalling of over 60 members sacked by the two major contracting firms because of their membership of NAPO.
Speaking to journalists in Bonny,the National President of NAPO, Comrade Harold Bestowe, condemned the actions of the management of the two companies for interfering in the freedom and rights of workers to freely choose unions of their choice,adding that their action was a pure violation of the rights of the workers as enshrined in the Labour Act as well as the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He berated the companies for not finding ways to resolve the labour unrest, but instead forcing the workers to belong to preferred union of the company management’s choice.
The NAPO helmsman also accused the Bonny Local Government Council chairman of abandoning her responsibilities of maintaining peace and order in the area, alleging that she has turned herself as conduit to coarse workers to belong to pre-determined union against their choice.
He commended the workers for taking the bull by the horns to end what he called modern-day slavery employed by the companies operating in the area, and assured that he would continue to lead the protest until their demandsweremet.
“NAPO, today, Thursday, 15th September, 2022, starting from 5am, is going to inconvenience the Nigeria LNG at her exit road leading to the gas plant in Bonny LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria.
“This is as a result of efforts by her contractor, SAIPEM/Daewoo Unincorporated Joint Venture to put in place a system that is against the extant labour laws that protect freedom of association. Nigeria LNG has become an anti-labour organisation.
“We, the members of NAPO and other sister affiliate trade unions of TUC, are suffocating and we need a fresh air to breathe.
“It is now a matter of life and death situation that needs emergency response.
“Nigeria LNG must speak to end up the apartheid system where colour and race determine the wages of workers participating in the Nigeria LNG construction and maintenance workforce.
“Where the rights of freedom of association are breached and her facility is being used as a modern day slave camp instead of workplace.
“NAPO Say NO To ‘Monkey dey work but na bamboo dey chop system’
“NAPO Say NO To ‘Apartheid wage system in the Construction and Maintenance Department in Nigeria LNG Gas Plant terminal’
“NAPO Say NO ‘to imposition of Trade Union on Workers
“NAPO Say NO ‘to the interference of employer’s in the choice of workers to choose her union and her leadership for the purpose of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)’.”
Reacting to the workers’ allegation of interference,the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council,Dame Anengi Barasua, denied forcing the workers to belong to any labour union against their choice and wishes,adding that determining which union workers in the company join does not form part of her jurisdiction.
She, however,said she only invited the union executive and the management of the two companies to see how they can resolve the lingering crisis, and not to mingle into union matters.
“Union matters are not my jurisdiction. What I told the management of the two companies during the meeting was to reinstate the workers allegedly sacked,while the workers go back to work”, she stated.
In his response,the Manager,Human Resources,CISCO,MrCharles Omakoro, denied sacking any worker because of union matters, but argued that the decision was premised on the fact that the company was winding down its contract with NLNG as regards the project.
“We have few works, and we cannot continue to keep many people when there are few jobs to do”, he stated.
However,the Project Manager of DEAWOO E &C Nigeria, LNG Project, Bonny,Yeosan Kim,in his response,, declined to speak on the real reasons why the company sacked the workers,adding that he was not incharge of union matters in the company.
Also,a Senior Admin Officer in the company simply called, Mr Clifford, said he was not authorised to speak on behalf the company, and referredThe Tideto Mr
Similarly, Andy Jaja and Matthew Duru, who are incharge of public affairs, and community and security matters, respectively, refused to pick their calls or reply text messages sent to their various mobile lines.

By: Amadi Akujobi

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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