Rivers
PENGASSAN Wants FG’s Intervention In Labour Disputes
As a way of reducing the rate at which labour disputes occur in the oil sector, the Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on the Federal Government and other relevant authorities in the sector to wade into the issue.
The National Industrial Relations Officer of the association, Comrade Chika Onyegbu made the call in Port Harcourt after the national body of the association issued a statement on a 3-day warning strike starting from April 16, 2012.
Onyegbu said that PENGASSAN was poised to declare a 3-day warning strike if nothing was done to check impurities in the oil sector affecting is members.
He noted that issues relating to labour abuses in the oil sector had been neglected by government, pointing out that several letters have been written to the government to that effect but nothing has been done.
Shedie Okpara
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Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its officers have intercepted 16 containers, just 311 of which contained assorted types of illicit hard drugs worth over N20bn at the Eleme Onne Port in Rivers State.
Briefing journalists on Friday at the Onne Port Harcourt Area 2 Command, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, explained that the illicit were concealed beneath legitimate consumer goods including chilly cutters and ceiling fans to exploit legitimate trade channels and evade regulatory scrutiny.
Adeniyi said the Command has successfully intercepted a total of 16 containers with an aggregate Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ?20,549,998,200 as calculated in accordance with Service valuation protocols.
“11 containers were found to contain illicit pharmaceutical products comprising: 1,301,000 bottles of Codeine Syrup (100ml each); 9,300,000 tablets of Really Extra Diclofenac.
“12,600,000 tablets of Royal Tapentadol/Tramadol (225mg each); 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol (5mg each); 210,000 tablets of Hyergra (200mg each); 17,360 tablets of Bisoveu g; 2,200,000 tablets of Bassuka (50mg each).
“The contraband items were strategically concealed within legitimate consumer goods, including 9,280 pieces of chilly cutters, 118 pieces of ceiling fans, 2,610 pieces of plumbing materials, 2,268 pieces of Smart Tech vehicle parts, 97,200 tins of tomato paste, and 700 cartons of cream.”
The Controller General of Customs stated that the seized pharmaceutical products, if allowed entry in the country and the public, poses severe health risks, including drug addiction.
“The potential impact of these illicit pharmaceuticals on public health and national security cannot be overstated.
“Unregulated pharmaceutical products pose severe risks which include drug addiction, compromised treatment outcomes, and the facilitation of organized criminal activities that threaten community safety and national stability”, Adeniyi said.
He noted that the Customs’ efforts are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s comprehensive approach to combating transnational organized crimes and ensuring that Nigeria’s borders remain impenetrable to criminal enterprises seeking to compromise the country’s sovereignty.
Adeniyi disclosed that the Nigeria Customs had since intensified intelligence-led enforcement across all commands, particularly focusing on high-risk corridors and ports of entry, to ensure that importation and exportation of contraband goods becomes a thing of the past.
He said: “In accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Service’s mandate on public accountability and stakeholder engagement, I hereby convene this press briefing to formally appraise the general public of significant anti-smuggling operations undertaken by the Port Harcourt II Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“The Nigeria Customs Service maintains steadfast commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s policy objectives of securing our borders, protecting public health, and safeguarding national security.
“Our anti-smuggling operations align directly with the administration’s comprehensive approach to combating transnational organized crime and ensuring that Nigeria’s borders remain impenetrable to criminal enterprises seeking to compromise our sovereignty.”
While commending officers and men of the Port Harcourt Area II Command for their vigilance, professionalism, and dedication to duty which has led to the successful interceptions, Adeniyi reaffirmed the service’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s security and economic transformation agenda through enhanced border management, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, and sustained anti-smuggling operations.
“We shall deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that Nigeria’s borders remain secure against those who would compromise our national health security and economic prosperity for criminal gains.
“We hereby serve notice to all criminal networks attempting to use our borders for illicit activities: the Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with sister agencies, maintains zero tolerance for smuggling operations and will pursue the full weight of the law against all perpetrators,” he added.
Earlier, the Controller, Port Harcourt Area II Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Mohammed Babandede, said the latest feat by the Command was achieved in collaboration with sister agencies.
“The containers were intercepted in collaboration with the other agencies, most especially, NDLEA, NAFDAC and DSS.
“We have today, 11 by 40 foot containers of illicit drugs, and 4 by 20 containers of prohibited tomatoes pastes, and 1 by 40 container of assorted goods.
“We were able to achieve this because of the excellent relationship and collaboration which has been part of the CGC’s policy trust on collaboration consolidation and innovation. So, we are not doing it alone, we are doing it in synergy with other sister agencies”, Babandede said.
While receiving the contraband goods, the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Christina Adeyeye, said it is a firm demonstration of the partnership and commitment between the NCS and NAFDAC to safeguard public health and uphold the highest standards of consumer protection.
By: Kiadum Edookor
In a bid to boost the operational efficiency of the sanitation committee of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, the administrator, Dr. Clifford Ndu Walter, has donated a vehicle to the committee.
Walter, who made the presentation of the vehicle at the Executive Chamber of the council’s secretariat in Rumuodomaya, expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of refuses by residents and urged the committee to intensify monitoring and enforcement.
He also charged residents to participate fully in the weekly environmental sanitation exercise that holds on Thursdays from 7:00am to 10:00am.
The administrator commended the environmental sanitation committee led by Chief Chijioke Kennedy Akaninwa, for what he described as their “unwavering dedication to maintaining a clean and healthy environment in the LGA.”
He praised the committee’s effectiveness and visible impact on sanitation across Obio/Akpor.
“You are doing a great job, and everyone can see the results. I sincerely commend your efforts”, he said.
Dr. Walter acknowledged the challenges of environmental management in the densely populated LGA and stressed the need for collective responsibility from residents.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to designated waste disposal times between 6:00pm and 10:00pm and charged the committee with the task of ensuring strict compliance.
“Some residents dump waste in open and unauthorized locations, especially during the day. This is unacceptable.
“We have aired jingles and issued warnings. Obio/Akpor must remain clean.
“All shops must remain closed during the sanitation hours. Anyone who flouts this directive should be arrested and taken to the nearest police station”, he stated.
On behalf of the committee, Akaninwa thanked the Administrator for the gesture and pledged to continue working relentlessly towards a cleaner and healthier Obio/Akpor.
By: Enoch Epelle
The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.
The brief swearing – in ceremony was held at the union office in port Harcourt, Wednesday.
In his acceptance speech,Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others.
“I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation”, he stated, noting that “the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.”
The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline.
He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.
Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.
In his remarks, the Electoral Committee Chairman, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.
He informed that despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters was received.
Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience.
She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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