News
Court Blasts: Judiciary Workers Flay JUSUN Leadership
Judiciary workers in Rivers State are yet to resume work following explosions that rocked three High Court complexes in the state on the eve of their resumption of work after nearly eight months of strike.
The Tide learnt that the explosions rocked the Degema, Isiokpo and Port Harcourt High Courts early hours of Monday, just as the workers were preparing to return to work.
The workers, under the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), had eight months ago, embarked on an indefinite strike action to, among other things, demand for improved security at their work places as well as the immediate resolution of the leadership tussle at the state judiciary over the appointment of a Chief Judge, which has become a subject of litigation.
The national leadership of JUSUN had on Saturday announced the suspension of the strike action, and directed members in the state judiciary to resume duty last Monday.
It also urged relevant stakeholders in the state Judiciary crisis to ensure that all the nagging issues were addressed.
Some of the workers, who spoke to The Tide on the condition of anonymity, condemned the decision by the state leadership of JUSUN led by Comrade Sokari George to suspend the strike action without ensuring the safety of workers, describing such as an act of insensitivity and a betrayal of the mandate given to the executive.
The workers averred that the leadership of the union failed to consider the security of members as paramount, and accused them of compromising their mandate.
Our correspondent, who visited the affected Degema, Isiokpo and Port Harcourt courts, reports that the three court premises were deserted, and under lock and key, adding that only policemen and security personnel were seen in the court premises.
According to a security staff, who spoke to The Tide on condition of anonymity, the hoodlums stormed the courts with explosives, and detonated them, adding that areas affected are the NBA temporary office and the new magistrate courts.
Reacting to the incident, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the bombing of three high courts under the state Judiciary by unknown gunmen in the early hours of last Monday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Muhammad, in a statement, said that the blasts were coordinated attacks executed by unknown gunmen across three courts in the state Judiciary.
Muhammad, however, said no life was lost but stated that files and some vital documents, including buildings, were destroyed during the blasts.
He further disclosed that the police have condoned off the area and taken over the security in the affected courts.
Muhammad averred that the police were on the trail of the perpetrators of the act, and reiterated the determination of the command to ensure the protection of life and property in the state.
Jaja Mildred & Queen George
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
?
?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
?
?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
?
?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
?
?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
?
?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
?
?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
?
?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
?
