– Rejects electricity tariff increase
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Trade Union Congress, TUC, has urged Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to ensure that the buyers of IOC’s onshore assets retain their corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, else it would be an injustice to the state and Niger Delta who bear the brunt of oil exploitation.
The organised Labour has also condemned and rejected the recent increase of electricity tariffs,
describing it as draconian and anti-people; while expressing delight over the recent feat of Governor Fubara fòr increasing the state’s Internally Generated Revenue from N11billion to N27billion.
Speaking at the 2024 May Day, Rivers State Chairman of TUC, Comrade Ikechukwu Foster Onyefuru, advised that with items like railways and building of refineries moved to the Concurrent List, the State Government should take advantage of the new legal framework, to further grow the State’s IGR and create more jobs for the youths.
TUC lamented that the country was currently experiencing socio-economic challenges leading to rising inflation, high cost of living, unaffordable goods and services, security challenges, Naira devaluation, and high exchange rate; all of which had impacted the purchasing power of the average worker with continuous value erosion.
Reeling out the key concerns from TUC affiliates in the state, Onyefuru urged Governor Fubara to consider constructing a Holding Bay for heavy-duty trucks waiting to lift products from NPA and Abonnema Wharf, to eliminate the perennial gridlock along Azikiwe Road caused by the indiscriminate parking of trucks waiting to lift products from NPA Port Harcourt.
He said, “Your Excellency Sir, we thank you for your apt intervention to resolve the trade dispute between the PENGASSAN and Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, IEPL. We appeal that you also intervene to resolve the ongoing dispute between us and Belemaoil Producing Ltd.
“Sir, you may be aware that key IOCs have commenced divestment of their joint venture interest with NNPC Ltd, we humbly appeal for your intervention to ensure that the interest of our members and Rivers State are protected in this instance, with special mention to abandonment process, business continuity post divestment, and retention of the corporate headquarters of the ‘Buyers’ in Port Harcourt.
” We are appealing to the Governor to ensure that IOCs who are divesting their interest in Nigeria don’t move their headquarters away from Port Harcourt and Niger Delta, because it will be injustice of the highest order to Rivers and Niger Delta people who have suffered from environmental pollution and other health impact from oil exploration. Moving the headquarters away is indirectly saying you’re not appreciative of the fortune you’ve made from our land.
“Your Excellency Sir, we also feel very strongly that with the issuance of crude oil refining license by NNPC Ltd to investors, Rivers State can acquire such a license and proceed to construct a state-owned refinery to further support the state government’s economic growth initiatives and employment opportunities.”
Onyefuru also urged the Rivers State Government to invest in intra-rail services to boost economic development in rural areas; open moribund state-owned firms; and also requested that the salary of primary healthcare workers be moved to the Primary Healthcare Management Board, where he said, they feel better protected.
TUC on behalf of its affiliate, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, appealed to the governor to extend the civil service years from 35years to 40years and retirement age from 60years to 65years, describing it as best practice across the public sector in Nigeria.
On the new national minimum wage, TUC said there was a need for a new minimum wage to be put in place promptly to ringfence the economy against rising inflation and restore confidence to Nigerians and investors.
“TUC frown seriously on the recent arbitrary increase of the electricity traffic by the Federal Government, persistent insecurity, and the current economic hardship faced by Nigerians, our National Body has reached out to the federal government to address these challenges.
“Following the removal of the railway from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List, making it possible for states to invest in the infrastructure. Your Excellency Sir, TUC Rivers State views this as a great opportunity to partner with willing investors to concept, design, execute, and commission Rivers State-owned railway unfrastructures. We believe very strongly that the rail network across the urban and rural areas of Rivers State will enhance economic activities, further provide employment opportunities, and enhance the State’s IGR.
“Your Excellency Sir, we humbly draw your attention to the sordid state of Port Harcourt Flour Mills Ltd due to misplaced political reasons. Sir, the company was shutdown nine years ago leading to job and revenue loss to our members and the State. We appeal for your kind attention to reopen the company, unlock means of livelihood for our suffering members, create employment opportunities for Rivers State Youths, and improve the State IGR.”
