Protocols!
1. INTRODUCTION
I am indeed very thankful to God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, for the opportunity and privilege to celebrate another May Day in peace. Also, for keeping us alive and in good health to formally celebrate the 100 years of the continued existence of Nigeria, our country.
I am indeed delighted to see all of you here, my fellow comrades, attired in such beautiful colours, to celebrate the 2013 Workers’ Day with the leadership of our dear state, led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi CON, a man of great vision, resilience and exceptional courage. May I on behalf of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Rivers State Council, seize this opportunity to formally salute our dear Governor on this 2013 May Day Celebration and congratulate him on his emergence as the Vanguard Personality of the Year 2012.
Our Governor Sir, kindly permit us to recall that the May Day also known as International Workers’ Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world to mark the economic and social achievements of workers. Consequently, workers in Rivers State, like their counterparts all over Nigeria and the world, have gathered together to celebrate a movement created not by fiat but by years of consciousness consolidated and built on the diverse struggles against forces of oppression in the larger society. We have not gathered because our lots have become the best it can be. No. But, we have gathered because we have HOPE that with our collective effort, we shall overwhelm those who presently have a negative stranglehold upon our lives and the society. Our collective experience have also shown that we can, indeed with our numbers and consciousness, create a society that is progressive, equitable and can provide the greatest opportunities for the people of Nigeria to achieve our desired levels of development.
That is why the theme for today’s celebration; “100 years of nationhood: challenges of development” remains congruent to the central questions of the misadventure of our dear country especially in nation building and national development. A nation that has consistently failed to achieve its developmental agenda yet has abundant human and natural resources is a nation indeed with misplaced priorities that has refused to see the plethora of opportunities for creating a quantum leap out of underdevelopment existing around it.
The theme therefore calls for a deeper and sober reflection on how we have fared as a country in our march towards nationhood in the last 100 years. Also, and more importantly, how we can surmount the challenges that have continually beset us in our thorny journey to nationhood.
We are not unaware that the principle that drove the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914 may have been essentially devious and was truly pursued with mischievous intentions by the colonial masters to create a nation that would be internally divided and shackled thus unable to attain its stated developmental objectives. Nevertheless, we would not like to dwell on the faulty historical philosophy behind most of the colonial policies and actions that shaped Governance during the Colonial times and the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914. It is our considered opinion, that having stayed this long as one country, with more than 52 years of self rule and close to 14 years of uninterruptible democracy, we can no longer continue to blame our colonial masters for Nigeria’s problems. We must in deed properly situate them on the failure of leadership to lead with integrity, courage and vision and the inability of the followers to unite and courageously demand for authentic leadership.
Devolving from the leadership crisis is the nation’s albatross; corruption especially amongst public officials. Just last week, Nigerians were awaken to the news of Ministers under the watch of the present Government involved in an over N59tr scandal; the Pension fund thieves that stole over N5b are still getting slaps on their wrists while boys who stole just N2,000 are condemned to death. The Power sector probe that unravelled over U$16b fraud in the activities of the NIPP have been swept under carpet; the Oil subsidy thieves are walking the streets free while the Hembe – Otteh saga is still unresolved; Otedola vs Farouk Lawan as usual is becoming history.
The tales of stolen wealth continues and as we speak, billions and now trillions are lost to corruption and it is not abating. Nigeria is ranked amongst the highest most corrupt nations in the whole world. Those who have issues with the recent position of the American Government on this are on their own as far as we are concerned.
The consequences of corruption and its innate character of weakening, and in recent times making moribund the institutions of governance are grave for any democracy. The haemorrhaging of the nation’s resources all these years have therefore combined with other factors to further hinder our drive towards national development and dug very deep gullies on our road to nation building. It is therefore not a surprise that Dr.Udenta Udenta, during the January 31, 2013 triennial State Delegates Conference of the TUC Rivers State, eloquently articulated that:
“Without a doubt, the Nigerian nation-building project is at crossroads. It is the crossroad between promise and despair; between dissonance and affirmation; between our collective historical possibility and the gradual, almost inexorable weakening of our historicist consciousness; and between the pontificating and sloganeering by our leaders on the grand themes of reconstruction, renovation and transformation and the debasing and imbecilized material circumstances of the average person”.
It is also not surprising that our national development has also been imbecilized, despite our huge resources and great potentials as a people. National development and our nation building projects have essentially been abandoned on the altars of corruption, ethnicity, cronyism and hedonism. This is a trite and stylised fact and therefore no need to belabour you with the painful statistics.
As a nation, we do not have any other choice but to seek ways to develop our beloved country. The alternative is damning and I am sure that no patriot is comfortable with the present spate of hunger, deprivation, disease, violence and increasing angst and hopelessness that have overtaken the mood of the nation today. The consequences are unimaginable but better witnessed in the level of hardship, sufferings, deprivations, disease, poverty, unemployment and insecurity currently ravaging the nation and walking tall throughout the Cities and villages of the Country. In all known human development index, Nigeria is always classified with countries like Somalia, Eritrea, Chad, Niger and most of them at War. This obviously is not the dream of the founding fathers of our potentially great country! This obviously could not even have been the wishes of Lord Lugard for Nigeria during the controversial 1914 amalgamation which we have rolled-out drums to celebrate in grand style!
Our Governor Sir, you will agree with us that there is an urgent need for Nigeria to get her priorities right so as to ensure that the dreams of our founding fathers and past heroes will be realised. The dream of a truly united Nigeria where respect for our neighbours, love, social justice, equity and rule of law will be the foundation of our relationship as a people and the reality of our everyday life. The dream of a better Nigeria with marked improvement in education, health, welfare and wellbeing of all Nigerians without exception!
2. RIVERS STATE TODAY
Our amiable Governor Sir, let me at the risk of repetition, restate that we are indeed very grateful to God Almighty for giving Rivers State a Chief Executive who understands the urgent need for economic development of our state. Your development strides in Rivers State are laudable. These have also been attested to by many well-meaning personalities and institutions. Permit me therefore to reproduce below what This Day Newspaper Special Report/Governors Scorecard published 31st May 2012 said about Rivers State:
“The case in Rivers State was one of hitting the ground running immediately Governor Rotimi Amaechi assumed office. Since 2007 when Amaechi came into office, there had been a lot of changes. From reconstructing dilapidated roads to building new ones, dualization of roads, electrification of rural areas, free medical services, elevated education scheme and power generation, Amaechi is considered as one governor who has kept his colleagues on their toes and lots more. With Rivers wearing the appellation- mega construction site, he has spurred such revolution in different sectors of the state that if made the yardstick of assessment, very few colleagues will scale the test. At his inauguration for a second term in office, Amaechi had said he would not only consolidate on the records on ground, that he would go further and open up new grounds and this has remained his attraction in the last one year. He is still spearheading development revolution in the state. The most celebrated of Amaechi’s projects are in education and healthcare, with ultramodern facilities and well-motivated workforce. He also rates very high in security and roads.”
Also, your emergence as the Vanguard Personality of the year 2012 is another attestation of your achievements in Rivers State.
Our Governor Sir, we are therefore very proud of your achievements and delighted to be one of your social partners. And accordingly, we respectfully appeal to you, to remain focused so that you will not be distracted. It is our considered opinion that the recent events and unfolding drama especially the unexplainable grounding of Rivers State Government Jet amongst the over 150 private jets in Nigeria are only aimed at diverting your attention. Nigerians know the true reasons why all these are happening. Even those who grounded the Rivers State Government Jet, in their quiet moments, know that the reason they have given to the public is preposterous. On our part, we want to assure you that the workers of Rivers State are solidly behind you. We also want to assure you that we are not alone in our support for your administration. Our National leadership is solidly behind us! Only few days ago, the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar described you as one of the pillars of democracy in the current dispensation. Also, Comrade Peter Esele, President-General of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) had at various forums and following your recent emergence as the Vanguard Personality of the year 2012, conveyed to you the support of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria. Our interest in what is happening is not personal but due to the fact that the Nigerian trade union movement and her civil society partners were the ones that fought for this democracy and as such we have a moral duty to protect it!
3. COMMENDATIONS & CONCERNS FROM OUR AFFILIATES
Our Governor Sir, one of my members directly under your watch, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has asked me to sincerely thank you for your magnanimity in putting on hold the retirement of permanent secretaries and directors that had served for more than eight years following the ongoing salary review exercise. They however appeal that now that progress is being made in the salary review exercise, that His Excellency should graciously complete this circle by reinstating those affected. They also appeal that His Excellency approves the establishment of GL17 in the Rivers State Civil Service.
Our Governor Sir, another of my members directly under your watch, the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professions (NUAHP) similarly asked me to thank you for the visible development in the health Sector. They however wish to inform His Excellency of the State of under-employment of the Medical Laboratory Personnel Viz, medical laboratory Scientist, Technicians and assistants at the primary and secondary healthcare level. They also appeal to His Excellency to see to the release of promotion exercise conducted since November, 2012 at the Hospital Management Board.
Our Governor Sir, my members in the oil and gas sector-the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have asked me to thank you for the peace in Rivers State and for the cordial relationship they have enjoyed since the beginning of your administration. They however, asked me to inform you that the level of crude oil theft in Nigeria is unprecedented. By government’s own admission what is lost to crude oil theft alone is about 10% of Nigeria’s total crude oil production of about 2.5million barrels per day (MMbpd). This is almost two and a half times the total production of our neighbour, Ghana. They are deeply worried that this level of oil theft is a very serious threat to our national security and our democracy, as the people who are making such humongous amount of money can destabilize both our democracy and our National security. They reason that the experience of Columbia, Afghanistan and other countries where criminal gangs have established organizations should prompt the federal and state governments to act very fast before the situation gets out of hand. Also the painful damage to the environment due to pipeline vandalism and crude theft cannot be overemphasised. The eco-system of the Niger Delta has been greatly violated and unfortunately this aspect of the cost of crude oil theft has not been given sufficient attention!
They warn that if nothing concrete is done to stop oil theft, the oil workers unions (PENGASSAN and NUPENG) may be forced to suspend production of crude oil and supply of petroleum products until appropriate action is taken. The impact of this ultimately on overall revenue from Oil accruing to the Federation Account should be negative and severe as was alluded to by the NNPC recently.
Another concern of the oil workers is the reckless abandon with which the National Industrial Court (NIC) grants Exparte and other forms of injunction and its seeming anti-labour stand in recent times. They are not alone in expressing this concern , as many labour leaders including the President General of TUC Comrade Peter Esele have similarly expressed worries about the quality of judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court (NIC). This concern is not just about the NIC it is also about Judiciary in Nigeria. It does appear that the Judiciary in Nigeria has been heavily compromised and has since ceased to be the last hope of the common man. They appeal that the Chief Justice of the Federation should act fast, otherwise very soon nobody will obey the judgments of the Nigerian courts and the result will be anarchy on a scale never witnessed in modern history.
Also, my members, the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Senior Staff Association (CANMPSSA) similarly thank you for your various development projects. They however, asked me to inform you, that the non-payment of End of Service Benefit to Workers of West African Glass Industry (WAGI), Port Harcourt is a bitter reminder of how some foreign investors treat Nigerian workers as filth. On the last count seven WAGI workers have died without receiving this benefit. It is indeed worrisome that despite the legal victory of the workers in Industrial arbitration Panel, Abuja, which also has been gazetted, the foreign investor, Mr. Machandani has remained disobedient to the court of the Land. We call for your intervention as you did in the case of PABOD Breweries, Port Harcourt.
Similarly, my members, the Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON) have asked me to thank you for your immense support to Sharks and Dolphins Football Clubs. They are worried that despite several promises by the Hon. Commissioner for Sports and the management of Dolphins and Sharks to pay the N29.6m owed to players and coaches as decided in 2010 by the Players Welfare and Arbitration Committee of the Nigerian Football Federation, no payment has been made to date.
Our Governor Sir, my members in the Hotel, Recreation, Relaxation and Personal Services Sector, the Hotel and Personal Services Senior Staff Association (HAPSSSA) are indeed, grateful to you, for the payment of long awaited retirement benefits to the staff of Airport Hotel which had been on hold for over ten years. They earnestly look forward to seeing the Airport Hotel resuscitated as well as the establishment of more Recreational centres, amusement parks, modern beaches etcetera, to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the state. They have also asked me to thank you for your promise of including Trade Unions on board of the Rivers State Carnival & Tourism Development Agency (RSCTDA). They earnestly look forward to the actualisation of the promise.
Our Governor Sir, time and space would not allow me to mention one by one, what each of the TUC affiliate-unions has asked me to thank you for. Let me therefore, on their behalf, state that the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) identifies with your various people-oriented projects. Our members are indeed happy that peace has returned to Rivers State and appeal to all residents of Rivers State to join hands with your administration for the protection and enhancement of the peace in Rivers State.
Our Governor Sir, we have no doubt that based on your record, you will remain steadfast in your development of Rivers State. Similarly, we have no reason to doubt that you will remain focused despite several emerging distractions. On our part, we shall continue to support your administration and urge you to integrate organised labour represented by TUC and NLC into all the processes of governance so that workers and people’s interests will be articulated and protected at every level.
4. LOW COST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR WORKERS IN RIVERS STATE
Our Governor Sir, one area that you will need to look at is the provision of affordable but decent low cost housing for the workers. This is more so as the two major housing developments projects of this Administration namely the Rainbow Town and Golf Estates, are beyond the affordability of the average public Servant in the State. We understand that there are some on – going discussions with Numerix Development Limited aimed at the provision of affordable 2,000 Housing Units at Iriebe within two years. The housing types include 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Flats .We earnestly look forward to the actualisation of this landmark achievement.
5. THE STATE OF OUR MOVEMENT:
His Excellency and our Comrades! We are glad that the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Rivers State has become a signpost for vibrant and effective articulation and projection of workers’ and people’s rights and privileges within the labour movement in Nigeria. The Trade Union movement remains very strong in Rivers State. The TUC and NLC in Rivers State have worked closely together in resolving many issues. We have collaborated in delivering benefits to the workers of the State and in championing the cause of the under privileged within the State. At no other time more than now has this cooperation become very creative.
We therefore want to use this opportunity to thank the NLC for the continued peaceful collaboration that has pervaded our relationship. Also, we acknowledge the contributions of the workers in the State towards making the movement a cohesive and impactful platform. Our commitment to you is our determination to ensure the continued articulation, projection and the protection of the Rights and Privileges of all workers of the State no matter where they are.
6. HIS EXCELLENCY’S 2008 PROMISE REGARDING TUC SECRETARIAT
Our Governor Sir, you would recall that in 2008, you made a promise to the TUC Rivers State to assist us build a befitting secretariat for our congress. This was also affirmed during the 2012 May Day celebration. Soon after the 2012 May Day, we forwarded all the necessary documents for the actualisation of the Secretariat to the Secretary to the Rivers state Government Hon. George Feyii FCA. Our members have continued to look forward to the actualisation of His Excellency’s promise. We have constantly told them that we believe that His Excellency will in his characteristic manner fulfil his promise. We believe that by your benevolence, the TUC Secretariat promised us in 2008 and reaffirmed in 2012 will soon be a reality
Our Governor Sir, permit us to respectfully convey to you the state of the buses you kindly donated to us. While we ever remain thankful for this donation, we respectfully inform you that these buses are decrepit with age and the cost of maintenance have become very high.
Similarly, the cars donated to the State Chairmen and Secretaries of TUC and NLC have become unserviceable and no longer in use. We graciously appeal to His Excellency, in your characteristic labour friendly manner, to assist us by replacing these cars and buses.
7. APPRECIATION
Once again, on behalf of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Rivers State, I thank the Executive Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON for his labour friendly disposition and for the cordial relationship that exist between the Rivers State Government and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Rivers State Council. Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate ourselves and our colleagues in the NLC on the unity and brotherly love that exist between us and the chance to have another memorable May Day celebrations together. For all our guests who despite their busy schedules came to personally celebrate this 2013 May Day with us, we sincerely thank you and pray that God Almighty reward you exceedingly.
Finally, on behalf of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Rivers State, I wish ALL workers in Rivers State and all over Nigeria a wonderful May – Day celebration!
Long live the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)! Long live the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)!! Long live workers in Rivers State!!! Long live Nigerian workers!!!! Long live Rivers State!!!!! Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!!!!
Aluta Continua! Victoria Acerta!!Forward ever!!! Backward never!!!!
Solidarity forever!!!!!
BEING THE TE XT OF AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY COMRADE HYGINUS CHIKA ONUEGBU (JP, FCA) STATE CHAIRMAN TRADE UNION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA (TUC) RIVERS STATE COUNCIL ON THE OCCASION OF 2013 MAY DAY CELEBRATION IN RIVERS STATE
