Rivers
RSG Wants States To Fix Workers’ Pay
The Rivers State government has advocated for fiscal federalism on the fixing of minimum wage for public servants in the states of the federation.
The state Head of Service, Mrs. Esther Anucha made call last Thursday when members of the National Committee of Experts on Parameters for Wage fixing in the Federal Public Service visited her in her office in Port Harcourt.
Mrs. Auncha said the idea of a national minimum wage for workers was wrong, arguing that states should rather be granted autonomy to fix minimum wage for their workers according to their peculiarities and fiscal ability.
She also advised that agitations for increase in salaries and wages by individual Trade Unions, Associations and certain cadre of workers should be discouraged and discountenanced as this had caused disharmony among workers and could pose a threat to industrial peace and harmony between workers and the government.
The Head of Service urged the Committee to look into the wide gap between salaries of political office holders and public servants, stressing that the situation may generate disharmony among workers if not addressed.
Mrs. Anucha who commended the Terms of Reference of the Committee, however, noted that the peculiarities of the Niger Delta states and the welfare of retired public servants were not taken into consideration.
She expressed the belief that the findings of the committee would further consolidate the rapport and synergy between the Federal and State Public Services for the overall development of the nation and also foster industrial peace and harmony in the public service.
In his speech, the Chairman of the National Committee of Experts on Parameters for Wage Fixing in the Federal Public Service, Professor Vremudia Diejomaoh said the Committee was set up by the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to find solutions to the incessant disputes on salary adjustments between the government and public servants.
He said the Committee was charged with the responsibility of developing a wage policy that would adjust itself automatically based on agreed principles and parameters to enable workers benefit from regular changes in the economy, and so eliminate constant agitations on ad hoc basis, as well as ensure greater productivity and efficiency in the country, among other issues.
Concerned about the wide gap between the emoluments of political appointees and public servants, Professor Diemojoah said the committee would also critically examine the political, public, and judicial office holders’ salaries and allowances Amendment Act 2008 and its impact on pay relativities in the Federal Public Service and also advise on any other matter related to the terms of reference.
The chairman, thanked the Head of Service for the warm reception accorded them, saying, the nation wide four aims at making a comparative analysis of the experiences in the states and other stakeholders.
Rivers
Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election
The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.
Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.
The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.
