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Tag: Port Harcourt

  • Workers protest seven months unpaid salaries in Rivers

    Many workers of Murphy Shipping and Commercial Services Limited in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday barricaded the gates of the company to protest their unpaid salaries for seven months; gratuities, pensions and other entitlements for many years.

    The protesting workers, who are members of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) protested with placards bearing various inscriptions, thereby demanding justice.

    Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agents (SSASCFA) Branch of TUC, Murphy Unit, Comrade Leonard  Madu, while addressing reporters during the protest, stated that the ill-treatment of the hardworking, committed and dedicated workers necessitated the peaceful protest.

    He expressed disappointment that in spite of reaching out to the management of the company, nothing was done in the last three months, stressing that the workers were fed up.

    Madu said: “We have written series of letters to the management of the company on the salary arrears, gratuities and pensions for some of our members who retired over four years ago without response.

    “We have also written to the Rivers State House of Assembly and heads of all the security agencies in the state on the matter, but the management has refused to hearken to our demands.”

    While also speaking, the Vice-Chairman of MWUN, Murphy Unit, Comrade Fidelis Amaraha, noted that the neglected workers did not have plan to embark on a full-blown strike, hence the peaceful picketing of the company, while calling on the company’s management to live up to its responsibilities by paying them their salary arrears and other entitlements, to save them from further suffering.

    The Taskforce Chairman of TUC and MWUN, Comrade Richardson Chimenum, in his remarks, accused the management of Murphy Shipping and Commercial Services Limited of diverting the pensions deducted from the workers, without remitting them to IBTC, their pension managers.

    Read Also: Rivers PDP senator joins APC

     

    Chimenum disclosed that some of the workers who ought to benefit from the entitlements had died, their children sent out of school and the workers who are still alive really suffering and finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet, vowing that the protest would continue until management of the company was able to positively respond to their demands.

    General Manager of the Port Harcourt branch of the company, Mrs. Uche Iregbu, stated that only the top officials at the head office could respond and handle personnel matters, stressing that she was not competent to comment on the workers’ protest and demands, while declining to provide the contacts of her bosses at the company’s headquarters who could formally respond.

  • NAFEST 2018 ends in Port Harcourt

    The colourful display of the nation’s culture and tradition ended on a high-note in Port Harcourt yesterday as 25 participating states showcased the diversity of the nation at the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST 2018).

    NAFEST 2018 which was described as a masterstroke saw Rivers State emerging as the overall best state of the festival.  Bayelsa State placed second, Ondo State took third place, while Federal Capital Territory emerged fourth place and overall fifth place went to Delta State.

    Traditional musicians, cultural dancers, traditional acrobats and masquerades displayed during the closing ceremony at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt.

    Top government officials from different  states of the federation were led by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dave Umahi, the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe joined thousands of spectators to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony, Wike said that NAFEST is not  just a competition, but a platform to promote the culture of the country.

    He said: “I see NAFEST not as a competition, but a showcase of our diversity and cultural heritage.

    “Let us use culture to unite this country. The entire country is here and we are celebrating in unity.  Apart from sports, culture is the uniting factor in Nigeria”.

    He described Rivers State as the economic nerve centre of the country, which is the most peaceful state for investment and hosting of events.

    “With the successful and peaceful hosting of NAFEST 2018, we have made another statement that Rivers State is safe and secure. Rivers State has hosted the PDP National Convention, NAFEST and the Presidential Visit without hitches”, he said.

    The Rivers State Governor announced cash gifts of five million naira to each of the participating 25 states.

    Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi said if politics and religion have failed the nation, culture will unite the country and enhance her greatness.

    He said that NAFEST Rivers 2018 will serve as a springboard for the greatness of the country.

    Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe said the outstanding Rivers Show proves that Nigeria is a great country.

    Chairman of the events, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra said that NAFEST 2018 did not disappoint as it achieved the core objectives of the festival.

    He said NAFEST 2018 has set a new standard by which future events would be measured across the country.

     

     

    Highpoint of the closing ceremony was the presentation of different categories of prizes  to winners.

    There was a colourful closing parade by the states, while guests witnessed a star performance by International Musician, Duncan Mighty.

     

  • Buhari inaugurates new PH international airport terminal

    After four years of spadework, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the new international terminal of Port Harcourt Airport, in Omagwa, Rivers State.

    The terminal was built by the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company Nigeria Limited as part of the $500 million concessional loan from the Export – Import Bank of China.

    Buhari landed about 12.30 pm and was driven in a convoy to the location of the new terminal.

    Speaking at the ceremony Buhari said the Port Harcourt International Airport  terminal will play a significant role in promoting economic prosperity of Rivers State.

    He said the new terminal will increase passenger growth as well as facilitate the movement of cargo.

    He said the facility will bring the airport to international standard to create economic growth for Rivers State as the country.

    He said the concession of four international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja , Kano and Port Harcourt will improve infrastructure in Nigeria.

    He said the construction of new terminals will be linked to the Warri Rail Line.

    Buhari said government is making deliberate efforts to increase handling capacities and infrastructure of the nation’s transport sector which was not taken care of since the 70s and 80s when they were built.

    He said it was part of his promises to upgrade Nigeria’s transport infrastructure in all geo political zones of the country.

    The president said:” Todays commissioning is a significant landmark for international travellers especially those in the South South region.

    “Not much was done after these airports were built in the 70s and 80s to increase handling capacity of the airports and so we needed to take decisive steps to ensure that our terminals meet the minimum international global standards”

    “In the 2017 budget, I promised to upgrade Nigeria’s transport and complete a number projects that will be beneficiary to the nation economically and these include construction of new terminals, railways and power projects,” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari to open Port Harcourt airport

    “Today’s commissioning is a direct policy to sustain economic growth in all geo political zones of the country,” the president stated.

    In his remarks, Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika said the project commenced in 2014 and was inherited from the previous administration at 30 per cent completion in 2015.

    He despite the inherent challenges associated with the project, Buhari gave approval for the lapses to be corrected.

    He listed the challenges to include: inadequate power supply, litigation, lack of apron space which have been addressed .

    Speaking earlier, Rivers state Governor, Nyeesom Wike assured the president that the people of Rivers State and indeed the South South are happy with the project stating that it would foster further investment in the state.

    Governor Wike said,”I can tell you this today that the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta are happy with you Mr. President. This terminal here will help the drive of the state to grow the economy and it will attract investment to the state. What has happened here shows that Rivers State is safe, Rivers State is secure and if it was not CCECC will not have been here to construct this.“

  • Peter Obi meets with EU, WEF delegations on 2019 election

    The vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi on Wednesday in Abuja met with delegations from the European Union (EU) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) to discuss the need to conduct free and fair elections in 2019 and also how to grow the nation’s economy through collaboration.

    Obi who stood in for the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar at the separate meetings, told the EU delegation that efforts should be made to stop the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from intimidating candidates of opposition political parties who, he said, now live in fear.

    A statement released in Abuja by the Atiku campaign office said that the EU should insist on a level playing field for all candidates and parties during the 2019 elections in Nigeria, adding that “there is a need to get the country back to its feet and make it better for our children”.

    Obi was also quoted to have said that campaigns should be based on issues so that the electorate and the international community can come to grasp with the problems of the country, as well as the solutions being proffered by each of the political parties and their candidates.

    Has was similarly quoted to have said that there was need for agencies like the EU to strengthen and support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The former Anambra Governor said that judging from what happened during gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states, INEC needs to show that it remains an unbiased umpire in future elections in the country.

    On the issue of vote buying, Obi described the incidence as a new phenomenon that must be stopped.

    Read Also: Why Atiku picked Peter Obi as running mate

    “I contested and won elections when I was in a smaller party. Where would I have gotten the money to buy votes if it was the case then and how would I have gotten back the money especially when I am going to serve the people”, Obi was quoted to have said.

    On the new found unity of the PDP, the vice presidential candidate said the evidence could be seen from the outcome of the party’s free and fair presidential primary election conducted in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State on October 7, 2018 where all the presidential aspirants agreed that it was the best so far.

    On whether there was need for a fresh EU election observer group following the impending expiration of the tenure of the present group, Obi said that Nigeria deserved a replacement based on the role EU would play in ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria in 2019

    In his comments, the head of the EU delegation, Ketil  Karlsen was quoted to have said that the election observer group has been consulting stakeholders in Nigeria to ascertain whether or not it would be necessary for the Union to send a new EU election observer mission.

    He said that the EU mission had been operating in Nigeria since 1999 and that the Union had invested over 100 million Euros in Nigeria’s election processes since then.

    While speaking with officials of WEF at a separate meeting, Obi emphasised the need for closer working relationship with African countries, especially Nigeria, saying that most governments in the continent do not want to work with the forum for fear of being criticised.

    He said that many governments in Africa implement activities that are “transactional instead of transformational” and therefore needed help to shape their policies.

    “A lot of work needs to be done in Africa because things are tough. The presidential and vice presidential candidates of the PDP have a clear picture of what the economic priorities are  and what the international community feels about the country”.

    “Nigeria needs to do something immediately for its economy to be put back on track and something has to be done immediately”, Obi was quoted to have said.

    Leader of the WEF delegation, Nontle Kabanyane was quoted to have said that the Forum was ready to strengthen relationships and to implement more activities in Nigeria through a collaboration that would lead to national transformation.

  • Court arraigns 18-yr-old, others over illegal petroleum product sales

    …gets N150,000 bail each 

    A chief magistrate court,  sitting in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital has granted bail to the sum of N150,000 to an 18-year-old Chinwendu Onyekwere, a female, for allegedly dealing in petroleum products without appropriate licence.

    Also granted bail in the sun are her counterparts, Dike Nwankwo (46) and Uche Onyeka  (20), males.

    The accuses persons reportedly committed the offence at yam zone area of Eleme, in Eleme local government area of Rivers State in October 17, 2018.

    They were charged with a single count charge on illegal petroleum products dealing.

    The charge was read to them and they pleaded not guilty.

    Their legal representations applied for the bail of the accused persons,  on the grounds that the charge against them are bailable, assuring the court that they will not jump bail but be faithful at attending court sessions at all times, until the charge is disposed of.

    The presiding magistrate, Sokari Andrew-Jaja granted bail to the suspects in the sum of N150, 000.00 with one surety in like sum, surety must be a business man in the rank of manager and must be resident in Port Harcourt.

    Surety must present two passport photographs  as the residential address of the surety must be verified by the prosecutor.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Wilson Isaiah has told the court that the offence they are charged with is  contrary to section (17) (a) (b) of the miscellaneous offences Act, Cap M17, and section 4 of the petroleum Act, Cap 10, laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Rivers State.

    The court later adjourned the matter till October 29, for hearing.

  • Army begins ‘Crocodile Smile III’ exercise in Niger Delta

    The Nigerian Army says it has commenced Operation Crocodile Smile III exercise across the states of the Niger Delta to stem the tide of pipeline vandalism in the region.

    This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Uyo on Tuesday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Tayo Oluwafemi of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army.

    According to him, the exercise which started on Monday October 22 would last till November 22, 2018.

    “In line with the Army Headquarters Training Directive for Year 2018 which tasked Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt to organize above mentioned exercise, the exercise is going to take place within the States in the Niger Delta Region including Akwa Ibom State.

    “In view of this, Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo will from Monday 22 October to 22 November 2018 conduct Exercise Crocodile Smile III.

    “This is aimed at stemming the tide of pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries/bunkering, kidnapping, cultism and other related crimes, “ he said.

    He added that other activities to be carried out include; Medical Outreaches, Sanitation Exercise, Distribution of items to Orphanages, Distribution of Sporting Equipment to Schools, Distribution of items to Market Women and Sinking of Borehole in selected Local Government Areas.

    He warned members of the public that there would be movement of troops and equipment and advised them not to panic.

    He urged members of the public especially residents of Ikot Abasi and Mbo Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom to keep away from the exercise area.

  • Supreme Court reinstates injunction order against Rivers APC congresses

    The Supreme Court on Monday set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, which vacated a stay order made by a Rivers High Court, against the conduct of All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses in the state.

    Delivering the ruling on the interlocutory appeal, Justice Centus Nweze, held that the decision of the Court of Appeal was in error.

    Nweze said the lower court was compelled to be guided by the judgments of the apex court, adding that the panel had to follow the law before arriving on its decision.

    “This court is the highest and final court of decision in Nigeria. All other courts must abide by decisions from here. Failure to do this amounts to gross misconduct by judges.

    “I hereby make an order setting aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt which vacated the stay order made by a State High Court in this matter,’’ he said.

    The judge held that the respondent (APC) was in contempt when some of its members invaded the court and disrupted the peace of the court during proceedings.

    According to him, it is against known procedure of court for such a party to approach an appellate court to be granted any prayers in a matter for which it is in contempt.

    “The action and attitudes displayed by members and agents of the respondent are complete affront on the judiciary and would not be condoned,’’ he said.

    Ibrahim Umar and 12 other members of the APC had approached the apex court challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.

    Read Also: APC to critics: Stop playing politics with reform in oil sector

    The appellants had initially instituted a case in the Rivers State High Court challenging their exclusion from the party congresses.

    They prayed the court for a stay in the conduct of the congresses pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    Aggrieved by the action, a faction of the APC approached the appellate court where the stay order was set aside, thereby giving the party the freeway to conduct the congresses.

    Meanwhile, Justice Chinwendu Nworgu, on Oct.11 had delivered judgment on the substantive suit, where the court voided the list of candidates and sacked the state APC executive.

    Nwogu said actions taken by the APC during the pendency of the suit had been set aside because they were illegal and unconstitutional.

    The judge held that all those who purchased nomination forms for the ward congresses were entitled to contest the ward congresses of May 19, but were unjustly excluded by the party.

    Nworgu also set aside all the primaries of the Rivers APC, including the indirect election that produced Mr Tonye Cole, as the governorship candidate.

    NAN recalls that the suit allegedly stemmed from crisis between, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation and Sen. Magnus Abe, an acclaimed governorship candidate of the party over the leadership of the party.

  • Army hands over 680,000 adulterated diesel, kerosene to EFCC

    The Nigerian Army has seized over 680,000 litres of adulterated diesel, kerosene and “black oil,” an official said.

    Brig.-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwahia, Chief of Staff of Nigerian Army 6 Division Port Harcourt, spoke at a formal handover of 17 trucks to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    Igbinomwahia said that the products, if supplied to the public may have led to explosions and possible deaths.

    He explained that the trucks and petroleum products were seized after troops raided an abandoned compound formerly used by Union Dicot Salt Company in Port Harcourt.

    According to him, illegal bunkers used the illegal refining facility to store and deliver substandard petroleum products to unsuspecting users.

    “The 17 trucks had been in our custody since Oct. 2 it was seized to enable investigators to determine the authenticity of the petroleum products.

    “Our investigators after carrying out thorough preliminary investigation on the matter came to the conclusion that the petroleum products were illegally refined.

    Igbinomwanhia said each truck was loaded with about 40,000 litres of adulterated petroleum products awaiting distribution to the public before there seizure.

    Read Also: Missing General: Army hands 13 suspects to police

    The officer said the seizure was made by the division’s Special Company that was specifically set up to checkmate activities of illegal bunkers in the state.

    “We have concluded our preliminary investigation, and as such, the trucks and other exhibits will be handed over to EFFC for further probe of the case.

    “The division is in forefront of fighting criminals who are hell bent to sabotage the nation’s economy through there illegal bunkering and vandalism of pipelines,” he said.

    Igbinomwanhia said the division’s special task force had so far seized over 300 suspected illicit trucks and vehicles that were currently in different stages of investigation.

    Receiving the trucks and products, Mr Abdulhamid Bawa, Head of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management Directorate of the anti-graft agency, said the commission would conduct speedy investigation into the matter.

    “The petroleum products will be sent to the Department of Petroleum Resources to determine if the product is genuine or adulterated.

    “If the product is genuine, then there is no case; but if found to be illegally refined then the owners of the trucks would be arraigned in court,” he assured.

    NAN

  • Rivers 2019: Tonye Cole picks APC’s NWC member as running mate

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Pastor Tonye Cole, has picked the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Chief Victor Giadom, as his running mate for the 2019 election in the Niger Delta state.

    Rivers Publicity Secretary of APC, Chris Finebone, made the disclosure on Saturday in Port Harcourt, while revealing that Cole, a billionaire businessman and co-founder of Sahara Group,  announced the choice of Giadom, while briefing APC leaders during a meeting in the Rivers state capital.

    Giadom, an indigene of Bera-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers state, where Senator Magnus Abe, who represents Rivers Southeast Senatorial District/governorship aspirant on APC platform, also hails from.

    The newly-announced running mate is a former Chairman of Gokana local government council and he later served as Rivers Commissioner for Works in the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration between 2011 and 2015.

    Giadom also served as the Director-General of the Greater Together Governorship Campaign Organisation of APC’s Dr. Dakuku Peterside in 2015.

    Read Also: Rivers to tackle mental health

    The running mate replaced Nigeria’s Ambassador to Netherlands, Oji Ngofa, as a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC, with Ngofa recently emerging as the party’s candidate for Rivers Southeast senatorial district for next year’s poll.

    Cole was quoted as saying during the stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt: “The choice of Chief Victor Giadom as my running mate was arrived at, after a careful and exhaustive consideration of an array of equally-notable personalities in the party.

    “He (Giadom) came out tops on all considerations, especially his unalloyed and untainted loyalty, unrelenting hard work and invaluable experience as a former outstanding Local Government Chairman, former Commissioner for Works, former Governorship Campaign Director-General and presently a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the APC.”

    Finebone also stated that with the choice of Giadom, the governorship candidate of APC in Rivers had started to assemble a crack dream team for the 2019 governorship election in the state.

    The former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, SSG (Abe) and his supporters are still protesting against the emergence of Cole through indirect primary, backed by members of NWC of APC, as the standard bearer of the parry in Rivers, while they were at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on Friday, in continuation of their protests, which they started in Port Harcourt.

    Abe insisted he was not aware that Cole was a member of APC and that Amaechi with some leaders of the party would not sit in Lagos to force a governorship candidate on APC in Rivers, while declaring that he remained the standard bearer of the party in the state, having emerged through direct primary, backed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of APC.

  • If you want Nigeria to remain wretched, vote PDP!

    If the Peoples Democratic Party, otherwise known as Pin-Di-Pi, needs to convince Nigerians of its anti-people disposition, it properly showcased it at its national convention held during the week in my own “Garden City”, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Nigerians and the world at large have been talking of the country being hit by recession in the last three years due to the recklessness of the PDP administrations since 1999, especially the Goodluck Jonathan’s which was displaced by the current Muhammad Buhari administration in 2015.

    Economic prosperity took a holiday from Nigeria during the years of the locusts, with factories closing down and turning millions into the unemployment market while churches were either leasing or buying out these industrial houses.

    The business that boomed from all these is majorly okada (commercial motorcycle) business which attracted to its ranks mainly people of Northern extraction, as well as low and medium income workers laid off by redundancy.

    If on the profit side these motorcycle riders barely survived, the huge deficit in that business however is writ large in our orthopaedic hospitals and private but mostly insanitary traditional healing homes where broken bones are being mended on a daily basis, from road accident victims of mostly untutored and drug-induced okada riders.

    The displacement of the PDP government headed by Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and its succession by the APC regime of BUHARI in 2015 exposed where all the nation’s monies had gone. The ones that grew wings ended in safe vaults in European and American banks and in some far-flung financial institutions in far East Asia while the rest, by just a handful, either got buried in septic or underground water tanks in decrepit places or homes or swallowed by rats, snakes, crocodiles and, you never can tell, hippopotamus of uncommon hue.

    For most of the three years of this present administration, it has busied itself unearthing mind-boggling monetary malfeasance never before experienced in this country while it has laboured to get the nation back on course. For Buhari and his team, the task of rediscovery and rejuvenation of the economy has been one helluva fight between it and all forces of reaction spearheaded by PDP mindless conservatives, and edged on by aging revisionists who are busy collecting doles needed for their final rites of passage.

    In the last three years, the PDP moneybags recoiled to their shells, like rainbeaten chickens, scared by the EFCC hounds, but began surfacing a few months back because the season of electioneering is here.

    Money many genuinely hard working and innocent citizens couldn’t muster for their children’s education abroad because of high rates of exchange, was on the loose in Port Harcourt during the week because the PDP locusts are on the march again, seeking to return to the plundering of the nation’s remaining resources.

    The hard currency that could have been used to turn the nation’s economy around was, as usual, squandered to procure votes for presidential aspirants of the PDP. It was repulsive to any decent mind, offensive to our psyche and altogether unacceptable in any sane society.  All those involved in buying votes and people’s conscience for as high as 5000 or 10000 American dollars on the Nigerian soil in Port Harcourt during the week, putting it mildly, are unworthy of our trust and should be outrightly rejected at the coming polls. Their return can only portend one thing for Nigeria – taking the country to the graveyard  for its final burial.

     

    The humour merchant returns home

    Dr Moses Olaiya, Nigeria’s pioneer of stage humour and satire, exited the earthly stage at the age of 81, after a long battle with ill health.

    In his battle with death, Bam Sala, as his stage wife used to call him, exhibited the tenacity with which he held on to theatre performance and dominated the scene. Several times in the last couple of years, he was rumoured dead but he bounced back like a cat with nine lives each time and held on to life until a few days ago.

    If he were to stage a play in heaven on his battle with death, I’m sure the title will be ‘O le ku’, one of his box office specials on earth.