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My Dear Comrades and friends,
As you would recall, 2009 was a very
challenging year associated with low
production due to the insecurity in our
operating environment, dwindling
industrial capacity utilisation,
kidnapping and killing of our members
and dependants, global and Nigerian
financial crises, capital market
meltdown and reduction in the revenue of
Federal and State Governments. We also
witnessed the relocation of many
companies and businesses from Rivers
state to other states especially Lagos
State, as well as relocation of some
businesses and companies from Nigeria
to neighbouring countries like Ghana,
thereby worsening the unemployment and
poverty situation in Nigeria. It was
also a year in which some
companies/banks management acted with
impunity and in total disrespect for the
extant labour laws, collective
bargaining agreements with the labour
unions, international labour standards
and principles of natural justice and
equity in their approach to labour and
Industrial relations matters. There are
also genuine fears and uncertainties
surrounding the proposed deregulation of
the downstream sector of the petroleum
industry, the Petroleum Industry Bill
and the future of the Nigerian financial
sector.
Despite the numerous challenges that
confronted us in the year 2009, we were
still able to record some key successes.
A good number of our affiliates and
branches recorded commendable
improvement in the welfare of our
members and in their relationship with
their employers. The Rivers State
Council of Trade Union Congress was able
to organise a successful triennial
delegate conference on December 14 2009
leading to a peaceful handover to a new
administration. The amnesty granted the
militants by the Federal Government was
a major plus for the year as calm and
businesses are gradually returning to
the city of Port Harcourt. The year 2009
also witnessed a remarkable improvement
in the relationship between labour and
the government of Rivers State. You
would recall that His Excellency the
Executive Governor of Rivers State Rt.
Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi donated some
buses to TUC and NLC in Rivers State in
that year. There was also a reduction in
the road traffic fatalities and
accidents as a result of the banning of
Okada Riders in Port Harcourt and
expansion and construction of roads by
the Government of Rivers State.
In 2010 we would
focus on improving on our relationship
with the Rivers State Government, the
Federal Ministry of Labour and
Productivity, Security agencies,
management of the various companies,
other stakeholders in the production
chain and civil society groups. We would
also improve on our relationship with
our National Secretariat and TUC in the
Niger Delta States .As the umbrella body
of all the Senior Staff Associations in
Nigeria we are expected to provide
direction for the labour movement and
accordingly we would improve on the
capacity of our State council/affiliates
to proactively meet the rising
industrial relations challenges. This is
to foster an atmosphere of peace and
industrial harmony necessary for
increased production, wealth creation
and economic development. To this end we
would appeal to all stakeholders in the
industrial relations landscape (i.e.
labour Unions, companies/banks
managements and Government) to give more
time and attention to social dialogue
,always be guided by the principles of
natural justice and equity and respect
for human dignity and extant labour laws
in their approach to labour and
Industrial relations matters.
Finally on behalf of the leadership of
the Rivers state council of Trade Union
Congress of Nigeria (TUC), I say a big
thank you to all and pray that God
Almighty grants you and your families a
peaceful, fruitful and prosperous 2010.
Solidarity Forever.
Comrade Hyginus Chika
Onuegbu FCA
is the
State Chairman,Rivers State Council of
Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)
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