News

NUPENG, PENGASSAN Threaten Fresh Strike

Published

11 years ago

November 3, 2014

General Manager, RSNC, Mr Celestine Ogolo (right), presenting some copies of The Tide Newspaper to Vice Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Rivers State Chapter, Mr Edegoma Isaac Ewa, during the association’s courtesy visit to the corporation last Friday. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson

The joint councils of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to address issues affecting the oil and gas sector or face a total shut down of the nation’s economy.
Addressing a news conference at the end of the National Executive Council meeting NUPENGASSAN in Abuja, Vice Chairman of the body, Francis O. Johnson said if the government fails to address issues raised by the two workers union in the oil and gas sector, they will be compelled to shut down the economy.
Johnson who is also the President of PENGASSAN listed the issues to include the termination of appointment of National Zonal officers of NUPENGASAN, Passage of Petroleum Industry Bill, casualization and outsourcing in the oil and gas sector, sustenance of national minimum wage on the exclusive list of the constitution and workers right to unionisation and collective bargaining in the Onne-Ikpokiri oil and gasfree trade zone.
The other issues are divestment of portfolio asset and attendant impact on job security; pipeline vandalism and oil theft and attendant effect on revenue, jobs and the economy. The rest are listed as anti-labour activities of indigenous oil operators and depot owners, growing spate of terrorism, and kidnapping; bad roads to operation areas, depots and refineries; sea wolf, oil services and non-payment of terminal benefits; 2015 elections and policies and appointment inconsistency in the NNPC.
He noted that the two unions are aware of the fact that the House of Representatives is on break and has therefore resolved to allow them return from the break and immediately tackle the PIB or face the wrath of the unions.
He said “All these are issues we have discussed and we have said that minus the issue of the PIB because the House is on break, all these issues must be addressed within 14 days, failing which the NEC of NUPENGASSAN has mandated and directed that we should go on a total shut down of the economy”.
Shedding more light on the issues, President of NUPENGASSAN, Igwe Achese said it was unfortunate that the government has shown lack of commitment to labour issues and often reneged on promises made.
He said: “It is very important that we re-emphasis the key issues as it affects the oil and gas workers. You are aware that very recently, we made a publication on the issue of the termination of our members and transfer of national officers. The key issue here is the transfer and termination of the Zonal Secretary of PENGASSAN, the transfer of the Deputy President of NUPENG and the termination of the appointment of Zonal Treasurer of NUPENG, Port Harcourt zone. It is important that we bring to the notice of Nigerians and the agencies involved.”
He added that “On that note, the joint council in session has taken a decision that if, within 14 days, these issues are not given the attention it deserved by reinstating these terminated national officers and reverse the transfer that has been done, we may be forced to go on a nationwide strike action.”
He said the unions have asked the Minister of Petroleum Resources to convene a meeting of stakeholders to address the issues raised.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.