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NULGE Shuts Down Rivers’ 23 LG Councils …Declares 3-Day Warning Strike

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The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has declared a 3-day warning strike, with effect from Monday, to press home its demand that money should not be deducted at JAAC to the Primary Health Care Management Board for the payment of health care workers’ salaries.
NULGE has also threatened to embark on a full-blown strike from Monday, October 27, if its demand is not met at the expiration of the warning strike.
Addressing a Press Conference on the decision reached at the end of its State Executive Council meeting, Monday evening in Port Harcourt, State President of the Union, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo said, “As a responsible trade union, with strong interest in the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, we cannot stand by and watch the Local Government System drift again into the era of debts and non-payment of salaries better known as zero-allocation.
“To this end, the State Executive Council of the Union during its meeting today, 13th October, 2014 at the NULGE Consultate, resolved, to resist, by all lawful means, attempts to destroy the Local Government System in the state by a few individuals using the Trade Unions as a platform”.
The union also resolved “to call on His Excellency.(Governor Amaechi) to reverse and rescind, within seven (7) days all decisions and directives to the effect that money be deducted at JAAC to the Primary Health Care management Board for the payment of salaries”.
NULGE also resolved, “to call out all local government workers in the State on a three-day warning strike from Monday, 20th – Wednesday, 22nd October, 2014 ie at the expiration of the ultimatum above to press home our demands”, and also “embark on an indefinite strike from Monday, 27th October, 2014 until the decision is reversed.
Our Correspondent reports that the stage for NULGE’s warning strike was set last Wednesday, following the decision that the salaries of health workers in the 23 local government areas of the state should be deducted at source by the Primary health Workers’ Board, with effect from this month end.
The decision to deduct the Health Workers’ salaries was taken last Wednesday at a meeting in Port Harcourt involving the 23 Local Government Councils’ Care-taker Committee Chairmen, Local Government Service Commission, Nigeria labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), health Workers’ Board and other stakeholders in Local Government administration in the state.
The interactive meeting which also had in attendance the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, however, recorded the absence of NULGE – the Umbrella body of Local Government workers in the country which was attributed to non-communication of last minute information on the meeting by the Local Government Service Commission.
The decision at the meeting was made public by the Care-taker Chairman of Eleme Local Government, Prince Awalanta Ejire, and confirmed variously by his counterparts in Okrika, Hon. Amangi Sunday; Ogu/Bolo, Hon. Mina Tende Andoni, Deacon Emmanuel Ikwut; and Khana, Hon. Gordon Tornwe during a tour of the councils by the State Working Committee of NULGE, led by its President, Sir Barr. Franklin Ajinwon on Thursday and Friday , last week.
The Chairmen of Ogu/Bolo, Okrika and Khana LGAs were, however, emphatic that the governor was not supportive of the position canvassed by some of these at the meeting, as he queried the rationale behind it since there was no problem with payment of salaries at the councils, and workers have been paid upto-date, but majority of the stakeholders insisted that it was in the best interest of the system, prompting the governor to give approval that the Health Workers’ salaries should be deducted at source by the Board, with effect from this month.
Responding to the decision, Barr. Ajinwon said he was aware of moves by some people to deduct local government allocations at source for selfish reasons, saying that such persons were not comfortable with the policy of the state government that allows councils to pay staff salaries without deductions at source since the inception of the administration.
He stressed that the union will resist the decision to deduct the health workers’ salaries at souce, as it will cripple the entire local government system in the state, if allowed to be implemented.
“We want to tell you, Mr. Chairman that as a Union, we have sworn to an oath to protect the local government system. So we will not fold our hands and watch the local government being taken back to the era of ‘zero allocation’ where councils could not pay salaries, upto even 15 months because teachers’ salaries were deducted at source. We want to tell you that as a union, we will resist it”, Ajinwon told the Council Chairman.

 

Justus Unye-Awaji

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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