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Tag: workers

  • Speaker condemns assault on LASPOTECH workers

    Speaker condemns assault on LASPOTECH workers

    •ASUP, NASU insist ‘rector must go’

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa yesterday spoke on Wednesday’s disturbance at the state-owned polytechnic in Ikorodu, describing soldiers’ assault of some workers as wrong and uncalled for.

    He spoke when members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) protested at the assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.

    The workers carried placards with messages on the non-payment of the 87-month accumulated arrears of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) 15 migration.

    Obasa condemned the assault of ASUP’s Welfare Officer Adewunmi Olorunfemi, his wife Lateefat and some students. Olorunfemi broke his left wrist when soldiers allegedly attacked him. His wife was allegedly assaulted at home.

    Mrs Olorunfemi was rushed back home from work yesterday because of her condition.

    The speaker said: “This is a civil rule and in a civil rule when there is a crisis, it is the police that should be invited and not the military. If there is an issue in any institution, they (authority) should call the police and it has to be done in a civilised manner, not to the extent of beaten people up and vandalising properties. It does not make sense; whoever does that should know that people will react naturally. I apologise to the union, please don’t be offended.

    “I just have to appeal to you. Let’s consider the students. Don’t take laws into your hands, let us maintain peace. Think about others. We are going to take the matter up; it is going to be a quick one. Anybody that will rule that institution must abide by the rules and regulations.”

    The Speaker promised that the assembly would intervene in the dispute between the school and the workers.

    Obasa said since he did not appoint the Rector, he could not grant the protesters’ request to remove him.

    “Sogunro was appointed by the governor, give us opportunity to look into the matter and we will take position without taking sides, that I can assure you,” he said.

    Earlier, spokesman of the unions, Comrade Abdulsalam Adegboyega, who is also ASUP Vice-Chairman, said the management’s refusal to honour agreement with the unions led to the strike.

    Adegboyega told The Nation that said Olorunfemi and his wife were still in trauma.

    The unions, he said, would resist the school’s attempt to proceed with this weekend’s semester examinations.

    He said: ‘’Our position on the strike has not changed. ASUP and NASU have a joint action committee and we are resolute on our demand and that is why we have taken our protest to the state assembly. We have no doubt that the Speaker will treat the matter with urgency as promised.

    ‘’However, we shall resist every attempt by the Rector and his management team to go ahead with part-time examinations earlier scheduled for this weekend.’’

    Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) Chairman, Mr Awoyemi Abiodun told Obasa that Rector, Mr Oluyinka Sogunro, sacked because of his alleged high-handedness.

    Abiodun said: “Sogunro does things without recourse to the governing council or to the executive management that are on the campus. As we speak, we used to conduct elections for the offices of the Deans but as soon as he got to power, deans are either selected or appointed because elections into the offices have been put to rest.

    “He has incited the students and cultists against the staff union in the polytechnic. Sogunro has taken away the peace we once enjoyed on the campus within two years. We now have crises regularly”, he said.

     

  • Taraba governor: I don’t owe genuine workers

    Taraba governor: I don’t owe genuine workers

    Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has said he is up to date in the payment of workers’salaries.

    He spoke yesterday through the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, at an interactive forum tagged: “Face the Press”.

    Ishaku, who said his administration is passionate about workers’ salaries, especially local government workers, noted that the government, though constrained by acute paucity of funds, is determined to ensure that workers get their salaries promptly.

    He maintained that those complaining were either ghost workers or those with Bank Verification Number (BVN) problems, or mishmash of account names.

    “Let me say, for the avoidance of doubt, that the government is committed to the payment of workers’ salaries, especially local government workers, who are often the most neglected.

    “We are all aware of the financial challenges confronting the country and states. This translates to low inflow for the state while the IGR remains rather very low.

    “In the face of all these, we are doing everything possible to ensure workers get their salaries, except those who have issues of verification, and which will be resolved soon,” Yero said.

    He urged the people to support the government to check the rot in the civil service to a tolerable level and be bold enough to report any suspected anomaly to relevant authorities.

  • NLC to workers: prepare to vote out public officers

    NLC to workers: prepare to vote out public officers

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers to obtain their voter card with a view to voting out anti-labour public officers, who contribute to non-payment of salaries across the states.

    Its President, AyubaWabba, who stated this in Abuja, while reacting to the complaints of non-payment of salaries by local government workers through the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)President, Ibrahim Khaleel, urged workers to vote out political office holders who oppose minimum wage.

    His words: “We must prepare to vote out governors or any political officer holder, who is refusing to pay us salary. We must continue to lament. We have the power, so we must use it this time. Workers, pensioners and their households, who are in one way or the other suffering the inhumane treatment of non-payment of workers’ wages, must be voted out of office in the next election.”

    He urged unions and workers to unite for a vibrant struggle against oppressive employers, adding: “Every member of the labour movement, irrespective of the union, must understand that it is only in unity that we can achieve our objective.

    “Therefore, we all must in solidarity play our part in order to achieve success. So, commitment, which,  of course, will bring us to working together, is the key.

    “And every leader, no matter the union or association in the labour movement, must consciously see the welfare of its members as very essential in all we do. It is, therefore, important that anytime we have a need for national action, all affiliates must deem it sacrosanct to mobilise their members for such action.”

    Also, Wabba stressed the importance of local government autonomy, saying: ‘’Local government areas are very important to the social-economic welfare of every citizen in Nigeria, because we all come from one LGA or the other. So, granting autonomy to LGA system in the country will in so many ways make things better for us all. In fact, it will pay the political elite a lot if they strengthen development in LGAs. Both influxes of people from rural areas to the urban cities and other vices that accompany rural-urban migration will drastically reduce’’

    Khaleel, who appreciated the leadership of NLC for initiating the familiarisation visits, urged the  the Congress to strengthen its relationship with affiliates and see all of them as important aspects of NLC’s existence.

    He further stressed that capacity building and inclusiveness are crucial in the effort of the NLC to survive the challenges ahead and succeed as an umbrella body of labour movement, which every other union and association should look up to and run to in times of need.

    While he expressed worries about the persistent trend of non-payment of salaries, especially to local government council workers, he said the N6,000 minimum wage, which the Zamfara State Government has continued to pay its workers was worrisome and shameful.

    He then called on the NLC to specifically intervene in cases involving the NLC Chairperson in Ogun State and the state government, and the seizing of Akwa Ibom State’s NULGE chapter’s check-off dues for five months by the state.

  • Sacked workers were economic saboteurs, firm alleges

    • Reinstate them, insists PENGASSAN

    The management of Neconde Energy Limited, an exploration and production (E&P) arm of the Obijackson Group, the operator of the oil mining lease (OML) 42 in Delta State, has  said sacked members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN),  who worked with the firm were economic saboteurs.

    PENGASSAN had threatened to shut down Neconde Energy operations  in Lagos and Warri for sacking five of its members who worked in the company without following due process.

    Obijackson Group spokesman,  Olusegun Fafore, in reaction said the sacked members strayed from the company’s operational rules.

    “The individuals in question committed an act of economic sabotage and total disregard for the human lives. This position followed our verification of their involvement in vandalisation of valuable equipment, assault, abduction and hostage taking of person on Thursday, 18th May 2017 at the Jones Creek, Delta State.  These dastardly acts were committed against fellow employees, who reported the matter to the management of the company.

    “As a responsible organisation, conducts like those perpetrated by these individuals are not in alignment with our organisational values and written company policy, which every employee is aware of, and understands.  The allegation that these individuals were victimised because of their involvement is not only baseless, but also unfounded because picketing of our office was on Monday, May 15th 2017 and a meaningful agreement was reached with the union, which resulted in speedy winding down of the picketing exercise,” he said.

    He continued:“So, the unpatriotic development that resulted in disengaging the employees happened days after our resolution of outstanding issues with PENGASSAN. Therefore, it was not just an act of economic sabotage, but a case of premeditated destruction of our facilities, and disruption of our operations and malice against our employees. Keeping them in our employment, without doubt, constitutes a threat to the lives of other employees, whom they abducted and held hostage.

    “Consequently, we were left with no option, after confirming their involvements in the dastardly acts, which contravened our corporate ethos, than to let them go. We are a company working to boost the economic development of Nigeria through our activities, but when employees work against the organisational purpose and national interest, then it is not inappropriate or illegal to disengage such employees.

    “Moreso, Nigerian courts have always upheld the sanctity of the terms freely agreed to by parties as set out in the relevant employment contract and the courts have enforced the same as binding. In the case of Chukwuma .V. Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, the Supreme Court of Nigeria upheld the Common Law principle that an employer has the right to terminate its employee for good reason, bad reason or no reason at all. Therefore, it is inherent in every employment contract that the employer has a right to hire and fire, provided that the procedure stated in the employment agreement is duly complied with.”

    PENGASSAN General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, had written the firm, demanding immediate reinstatement of their sacked members or face industrial action.

    In the letter copied the Ministers of Labour and Employment and Petroleum Resources (State), as well as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director, Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Chief Executive Officer, Neconde and relevant officials of PENGASSAN, the association demanded the reversal of the sack by Neconde within 72 hours or face shut down of operation.

  • Labour to Almakura: Resolve impasse with workers

    Labour to Almakura: Resolve impasse with workers

    Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Monday asked Nasarawa state governor, Tanko Almakura to take urgent steps to address the issues raised by workers in the state which resulted in the ongoing strike by civil servants in the state.

    In a letter to the governor signed by the Secretary General of the two Labour Centres, Dr. Peter Ozo-Edson and Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson and Barrister Musa Lawal, Labour told the governor that issues that led to the strike were resolvable if the government is really interested in doing so.

    They also inform him that only organised labour in the state has the right to call of the strike and ask the governor to ignore any purported call for the suspension of the strike that did not emanate from the Labour.

    The letter dated June 2, 2017 reads: “It is with a high sense of duty and responsibility that we write to convey the position of the two Labour Centres on the ongoing strike in Nasarawa State.

    “You will recall sir, that the workers of Nasarawa State embarked on the ongoing strike action on the directives of Organised Labour in the state under the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress following the expiration of an ultimate jointly issued by the two Labour Centres.

    It is our position that the issues that led to the strike are resolvable, should the government prioritise the welfare and rights of the workers to wage employment.

    “May we advise therefore that you take the necessary steps towards resolving this empasse by meeting these basic demands of the workers, that are by no stretch of imagination extraneous to their fundamental rights as wage earning employees.

    “Please take notice sir, that no person acting individually or otherwise, other than by virtue of the mandate of Nasarawa workers, held in trust through our joint centres acting in concert can hold out to you their ability to resolve the issues.

    “Any purported calling off of the strike action made to you is clearly without authority and mandate of either the Nasarawa workers or the Organised Labour which we represent.

    “Workers in Nasarawa State have been directed not to heed the purported suspension of the strike action, until such a directive is made pursuant to an amicable resolution of the issues in contention for which the strike was called.

    “We are however open to genuine dialogue session with a view to resolving the empasse, provided the government eschews any perceived ploy at divide and rule or intimidation and harassment of committed leaders of the Labour Movement.  We urge the government to utilize transparent channels of communication and reach out to all leaders of Organised Labour in the state.

    “We hope that the dire situation of workers of the state will touch your Excellency, to activate the machinery for a quick resolution. While we look forward to your positive and urgent actions towards the resolution of the issues, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.”

     

  • Workers: we’ve not fared better under Buhari

    Workers: we’ve not fared better under Buhari

    The last two years of the Buhari administration have been challenging for workers because of falling oil prices,  the fluctuating foreign exchange rate and loss of jobs, writes TOBA AGBOOLA.

    The last two years have been uneventful  for workers due to some developments in the developments which tested the resilience as the people.

    According to the organised labour, the economic situation was compounded by the massive corruption and maladministration by the past administration in all tiers of government.

    According to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the country  has since run into full recession that has wreaked untold havoc on the economy and brought indescribable pain on the citizenry, especially, workers.

    He said the recession has affected and provoked reactions from various sectors, including organised labour.

     

    N400b bailout for salaries

    Few weeks after this administration took over, it approved a comprehensive relief package worth over N400billion to end the lingering crisis of unpaid salaries.

    The money was sourced from  Nigeria Liqufied Natural Gas (NLNG) proceeds to the Federation Account, and its release okayed by the president. It was a soft loan made available to states to access the  backlog of salaries.

    And a debt relief programme proposed by the Debt Management Office (DMO), which was to help states restructure their commercial loans  put at over N660billion, and extend the life span of such loans, while reducing their debt-servicing expenditures.

    The Organised labour, however, praised the Federal Government for coming to the rescue of state governments by approving cash.

    They, however, advocated that the  government, through the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, should work out modalities through which the money will be re- paid.

    The labour advised that this be actualised through monthly allocations from Federation Account funds of the affected states.

    Trade Union Congress President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, expressed strong reservations about the liquidation of the excess crude account as reported in some newspapers, emphasising that it would have kicked against the bailout but for its mindfulness of the pains of millions of workers and their families who would benefit from it.

    He warned the administration to guard against fifth columnists in its midst so as not to give Nigerians any reason to regret voting it into power.

    Nigeria Textile Union Secretary-General, Comrade Issa Aremu,  said no state government had excuse for not paying the workers.

    “It is quite commendable and we hope that all states will learn from this,” Aremu said.

    He said labour was happy Buhari was leaving up to his mandate, adding that it should try and sustain it.

    Aremu called on the Federal and state legislatures to rise up to the challenge of making good laws and exercising their oversight functions creditably.

    Labour re-new calls for minimum wage

    Few months after this government came in, the Organised Labour renewed calls for the N56,000 minimum wage.

    The organised labour comprising the NLC, the TUC and the  United  Labour Congress (ULC), demanded a new national minimum wage of atleast N56,000, even at a time that no fewer than 26 governors  owing arrears of salaries of between two and six months.

    Comrade  Wabba decried the non-inclusion of the new wage increase in the 2016/2017 fiscal year presented by Buhari before the joint session of the National Assembly.

    The NLC chieft, who decried the poor remuneration of average Nigerian worker, who earns N18,000 per month, amid recession, argued that the Congress might not guarantee industrial peace, if the government failed to constitute the tripartite committee to put mechanism in place for the implementation of the new Minimum Wage on or before May 1, 2017.

    ”The issue of minimum wage remains sacrosanct because of the fact that by law and practice, the review is due and overdue. I have said clearly that we cannot guarantee any industrial peace any longer if necessary steps are not taken by government to try to resolve this issue before the next May Day. This is very clear because as we said, we have sent formal notice of demand as required by law to government to try to constitute the Committee.

    “Essentially, the committee to dialogue and negotiate the minimum wage, which is supposed to be tripartite has not been set up. If it is set up, all of you will be aware of the membership and also their terms of reference and the timeline given to them to actually dispose with this very vital issue.

    “The issue is so sensitive because of the fact that a lot of our members have actually been subjected to a lot of difficulties because the purchasing power of ordinary workers has been reduced to virtually nothing because of the inflation in the system, the free fall of the naira and to compound it with high cost of goods and services. More so, most workers now cannot meet up with their daily needs, they can’t pay their rents, they can’t send their children to school.

    “It is even more compounded because cost of goods and services have gone up. So, side by side with the issue of fighting corruption is also for workers to be paid a decent wage that they can be able to have a meaningful living, so, this is the challenge,” the NLC chief lamented.

    While reacting to the non-inclusion of funds for the new minimum wage, the NLC chieftain expressed optimism that Federal Government and National Assembly will see reason to accommodate the fund when the tripartite agree on the new national minimum wage.

    NLC General Secretary, Comrade Peter Ozo-Eson called for the setting up of a tripartite committee to review  on what should be the new minimum wage.

    He said the N56,000 proposal was no more tenable because the figure was arrived at when the economy situation was not as bad as this.

     

    Govt responds to proposal

    Few weeks after the labour’s demand, the Federal Government had proposed N45,000 as against the N56,000  proposal by the NLC.

    Ordinarily, the news should be greeted with enthusiasm, but instead, it was greeted  with scepticism. Some Nigerians express concern that they are not sure if the government would meet up with an increment in minimum wage.

    Surprisingly, both Buhari and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige refused to be dragged into the new minimum wage debate as they left out that aspect in their speeches.

     

    Indefinite strike over fuel price hike

    The NLC and the TUC in  May, last year, embarked on an indefinite strike to protest the hike in pump price of petrol.

    This was the resolution the groups made at a meeting held at NLC headquarters in Abuja.

    The strike, which started around  midnight on Wednesday, May 18, last year, saw the two unions embarking on an indefinite strike.

    The union in statement said: “Our decision not to suspend the strike was further fuelled by today’s injunction by the Industrial Court, restraining us from proceeding on the strike expected to begin tomorrow”.

    However, while the NLC resolved to go ahead with its planned strike over fuel price hike, TUC opted out.

     

    Construction workers’ indefinite strike

    In March, last year, the Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers(NUCECFWW) went on an indefinite strike.

    This arises from the failure of the union  and their employers to meet with agreements signed by the two parties some months ago.

    At a press conference  in Lagos, the National President of the union, Comrade Amechi Asugwuni, explained that the strike was to seek redress to recalcitrant attitude of construction employers under the aegis of Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI).

    According to Asugwuni,a document known as  NJIC, containing agreements on terms and conditions of service for all junior employees,  must be reviewed every two years.

     

    NLC condemns 45 percent increase in electricity tariff

    The NLC condemned the 45 per cent upward increase in electricity tariff, stating that it was not justifiable.

    The Congress in a communique at the end of its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Abuja said such an increase was inappropriate at this point in time with the challenges in the economy, which it said have adversely reduced the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians and slowed down businesses, including manufacturing.

    The NLC in the communique signed by its President, Ayuba Wabba, and General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, warned that the increase will be an additional heavy burden on consumers as well as have a telling effect on business especially manufacturing, hence therefore it has resolved to reject the tariff increase.

     

    Labour shut down Disco over increment in tariff

    The Organised Labour , thereafter, shut down the  Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOs) in Alausa, Ikeja over the 45 per cent hike in the electricity tariif.

    The protesters, which assembled around 7am, marched from Ikeja under bridge to DISCO office in Alausa.

    This resulted in a traffic jam on the Awolowo Way/Alausa road in Ikeja.

    Comrade Wabba said the hike in tariff was inhuman, following the refusal of the electricity offices to follow the law, which stipulated that they should give out prepaid meter to every consumer within 18 months of assumption of duties. He said labour was ready to shut down the economy, if the increase is not reversed.

     

    Labour, Civil Society protest over hardship

    Early this year, thousands of protesting workers  called on the Federal Government to create policies that would reduce the suffering of Nigerians and also provide food on their tables.

    The workers marched from Yaba, in Lagos through Ikorodu Road chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards.

    The protest was organised by the NLC and TUC and also joined by the civil society groups.

    NLC Vice President, Amaechi Asugwani, said workers appealed to the government to make changes that would impact positively on people.

    According to Asugwani, creating people’s oriented policies would reduce the level of poverty in the country.

    He said the rally was necessitated by the people’s outcry who are worried about the increasing cost of food, goods and services.

  • Rector, workers clash over fresh recruitment

    Rector, workers clash over fresh recruitment

    One year after he became Rector of the College of Health Sciences and Management Technology (ASCHSMT) in Abia State, Prof Chidi Felix Ezeama, is under fire for allegedly employing people staff in excess of the approval granted by the government. He denies the claim, saying he got a waiver for those hired. SUNNY NWANKWO (Aba) reports:

    Workers are up on arms against the Rector of the College of Health Sciences and Management Technology (ASCHSMT) Abia State, Prof Chidi Felix Ezeama, who is marking his first year in office this month. They accused him of employment racket.

    They told The Nation that the employment of some workers negates government’s policy. The workers also accused Ezeama of nepotism and “lack of idea of how to manage a post secondary education institution.”

    They noted that Ezeama who was deployed from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia on June 10, last year, is not a health expert. (He is a professor of Food Microbiology).

    Before Ezeama’s coming the institution had been reeling in crisis, with workers being owed arrears of salaries and allowances. He was faced with clearing the mess.

    While government promised monthly subvention, the school is to plug leakages and wastages, clear salary backlogs, improve its internally generated revenue (IGR) and ensure prompt payment of workers.”

    The Nation gathered that Ezeama swung  into action shortly after his appointment. As part of his plan to raise the school’s IGR, he wrote to the government on January 4, requesting for an approval to employ more hand.

    His request was granted via a letter signed by Sir  Onyii Wamah, Permanent Secretary, Government House, Umuahia. He was directed to employ nurses three, community health workers seven, health information management three, laboratory technicians five, cleaner/orderly four, messengers three, council chairman’s candidates three and other categories of workers 14, bringing the total number to 42.

    But, the workers claimed that he went outside the waiver granted him to employ additional 24 workers including his wife, Ezeama Akpaego Nwaogbu; daughter Chidi Ezeama Nnenna Ellen and son-in-law, Jonadab Obidiya Shulammite.

    They alleged that they were aware another list of 34 were to be employed  by Ezeama between June last year, which would bring the total number of those hired  now to 100.

    “He has employed about 100 persons and the worst aspect of it is that the employment is not skilled along the need of the college. By the time he was coming in, there was a Visitation Panel set up by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. The panel in its report noted that our college had a shortfall of academic staff while loaded by non-academic.

    “We have about 167 or 170 workers but only 30 are academic staff. So, the Visitation Panel directed that more employment should be along academic area which is what generates more revenue for the college. Unfortunately when the Rector came, the first thing he did was to begin to employ indiscriminately. He employed the first 27 last year, another 24 in January and he is employing another 42 now, bringing the finances of the college to a near collapse,” the workers alleged.

    But Ezeama, who did not deny employing his wife and relations, described some of the other allegations as spurious, and the machinations of certain elements bent on distracting him from plugging loopholes.” Some of those accusing him, he claimed had exploited those loopholes to enrich themselves.

    According to the rector, management followed due process in the employment, which was superintended by the registrar.

    The workers also claimed that students’ enrolment is declining under Ezeama’s watch.

    “The unfortunate aspect of it is that the college is currently going through a decline in enrolment because of the present economic recession. We have more manpower in non-academic than academic but the man does not even look at the statistics to know whether there is any shortfall of teaching staff or not,” said source who pleaded not to be named.

    He continued: “The funniest part of it is that the employment the Rector made was tailored along the line of his immediate family and other relations.”

    The workers said they were amazed that the rector hired his wife, who retired from the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) in October last year on health grounds and placed her above others. “Those who are supposed to be above her status wise are now under her. Besides, these employments did not pass through the normal process of bureaucracy which involves advert placement that will pave the way for others to apply.”

    The workers claimed that a letter  signed by Ukaegbu Sample (a new employee), directed the Bursar to put the new workers on the payroll.

    Ikpeazu’s Chief Press Secretary Enyinnaya Appolos has asked the workers for a petition. Nonetheless, workeys say they are treading softly because the governor and Ezeama are from the same Obingwa Local Government. Sources also told The Nation that Ezeama had boasted that being the governor’s kinsman, he is untouchable.

    The workers lamented that the rector was employing indiscriminately and putting more strain on the lean resources when they are being owed salary arrears and the school is underfunded.

    “We are surprised that the same rector, who claimed that the governor directed that there should not be any further employment because those in the system have not yet been paid, is now employing again.

    “As we speak with you, our subvention is N10million a month and the amount is not even enough to pay those who are there already not to talk of those being currently employed,” the workers said.

    They accused management of inability to articulate the goals of the college and how to go about them. They cited a rainstorm which blew away the roof top of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) building nearly three months ago, adding that nothing has been done to repair it.

    “We have to look at this critically and find out if it was the governor that directed this kind of indiscriminate employment because we believe he did not grant the rector a waiver to employ over 100 staff in a college that owes its workers six months salary arrears,” the workers said.

     

    ‘We need petitions to act’

    However, the Ministry of Education has said it would not act on the allegations, except a petition from the workers.

    The Commissioner for Education Prof Ikechi Mgbegi, said the ministry has not received a formal complaint from the workers.

    However, when The Nation told him that the rector admitted employing some of his family members, Mgbeoji said such action was wrong.

    “It is wrong for members of a family-father, daughter and wife, to be working in the same institution headed by a family member. Such is not obtainable in civilised societies like Canada where I was working before being called to serve as the Commissioner for Education.

    “We are also working on a template that will make tertiary institutions in the state more self sustaining through increase in their IGR and executing some development programmes that can further generate funds to the schools.”

     

  • Capital Oil workers fear job losses

    Employees of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Ltd have urged the Federal Government to release their Chairman, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, who is in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody.

    The workers urged Acting President  Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the Minister of Labour, Sen. Chris Ngige to intervene so that the over 2,000 Capital Oil and Gas workers will not lose their jobs.

    A statement by the Manager, Distribution, Capital Oil & Gas, Mr. Saturday Igbarease, said Ubah’s continued detention has resulted in the shutdown of operations, with staff on the verge of losing their jobs.

    Worried about not receiving salaries this month, they urged the Federal Government not to allow them and their families starve.

    “The injustice meted on Dr Ifeanyi Ubah is negatively affecting over 2,000 workers of Capital Oil. The Federal Government should be mindful of the implications on our families who are gradually been forced to starve,” he added.

    The DSS had arrested the businessman over allegations of “economic sabotage” and alleged diversion of petroleum products to the tune of N11 billion.

    The Service last Thursday obtained an order from a Federal Capital Territory High Court to detain him for 14 more days.

    The same day, Federal High Court in Lagos also ordered DSS to release him within 48 hours or charge him to court.

  • Cross River workers begin indefinite strike

    The Cross River State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will begin an indefinite strike tomorrow, its Chairman, John Ushie, said yesterday.

    The union leader said the workers resorted to the action due to their unresolved issues with the government.

    According to a bulletin signed by the Organised Labour Action Committee, the issues include the suspension of promotion to deserving civil servants up to 2016, the disengagement of payroll consultants, illegal deduction of workers’ salaries, full payment of gratuity to retirees from Paris Club refunds, release of monthly impress to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), resolution of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) impasse in the state and payment of newly appointed permanent secretaries’ salaries.

    The bulletin, titled: Commencement of Indefinite Strike Action, reads: “This is to inform you that at an enlarged Congress of Cross River State, civil/public servants workers unanimously voted to proceed on an indefinite strike over the following issues, with effect from Tuesday, May 30.

    “We are, therefore, calling on all workers, under the employ of the Cross River State government, to stay at home from May 30 until you hear from us.”

  • Forgotten workers of Ajaokuta

    Forgotten workers of Ajaokuta

    ‘Right now we work shifts every day. At one of the units…we pump out water, and sometimes especially during the rainy season we pump on an hourly basis. If we do not pump out water there in 24 hours, the country will have to forget wire rod mill and LSM, because the equipment will be submerged, the water that will come up will destroy so many things’

    That image comes to mind at the mention of Ajaokuta steel plant? Is it the vast area on which the facility sits? Or the heavy machinery left to waste? Or how are the mighty fallen? What about the workers? Perhaps only few consider them. Yet, they are the reason the facility is still standing and has not been washed into the mighty River Niger.

    Head of Public Relations and Information of the plant, Muhammed Ibrahim narrated how one of the workers lost his job when the Indians were in charge.

    He said, “We have had a management staff of this company who lost his job when the Indians were here because he gathered some staff and they formed a human shield around one of our equipment, the spectrometer, that was being removed by the Indians at that time; this is how much our staff are prepared to lay their lives for this company.”

    He said most members of staff have learnt to be on the lookout for thieves who invade the facility, trying to steal everything and strip the facility of its machineries. He said that as yet, no equipment has been removed, except perhaps some spares or consumables, but not the main equipment.

    Ajaokuta steel plant was constructed on the River Niger, a part of the sea sand-filled and the facility built in it, Albert Durojaiye, Assistant General Manager, said. “If the water is not pumped in 24 hours, Ajaokuta steel plant as we know it will be submerged. Since production was halted in 2007, we’ve maintained the equipment at the plant, all we need in the rolling mill right now is just spare parts, consumables and raw materials. We also idle-run the machines to ensure they are still in good shape.

    “Right now we work shifts every day. At one of the units…we pump out water, and sometimes especially during the rainy season we pump on an hourly basis. If we do not pump out water there in 24 hours, the country will have to forget wire rod mill and LSM, because the equipment will be submerged, the water that will come up will destroy so many things. I have to keep coming to work even though the conditions are not favorable because I have to take care of my family; we are just waiting for the government to provide us with what it takes to run this place, we are not happy that it is idle.”

    Mallam Shuiabu Idris, in lubrication and hydraulics unit, said. “The assumption of people that we are not working is because they have not got the chance to come and see for themselves, when people come, we acquaint them with what is actually happening here.”

    Welder, Mr Ogbadu Usani, said, “I’ve been working in the section of the plant for over 12 years. A senior craftsman welder, I work under the boiler rehabilitation, I also work on the turbine when there is a problem, we work here round the clock to prevent this place from turning into scrap or collapsing, we rehabilitate the equipment, if there is leakage in the boiler section, water gushes out and when that happens, the pipe will be destroyed unless we weld it back, without maintenance, most of the machines here will be corroded.”

    Comrade Otori Salihu, in public relations said, “I have been with Ajaokuta for the past 30 years. Today Ajaokuta is incomplete, we have about 43 units and only three are yet to be completed which is the primary section. Government is the one that has no political will to complete Ajaokuta, for a facility that is remaining only 2% for it to be completed, is the government not supposed to just complete it then decide if it wants to privatise, and remember privatisation has failed in the steel sector.