Gov Wike to grant amnesty to repentant criminals …Advises Labour Unions to use strike as a last option

—-By Linda Nwogu, –Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has said that plan are in place to improve the security of lives and properties in the state, adding that the government is willing to grant amnesty to repentant criminals and cultist who lay down their arms and embrace peace.

He assured that the state government is working with relevant security agencies to ensure that Rivers State remains  safe for investors. He noted that strategies have been put in place to root out criminals from the state.

Governor Wike, while addressing  the  National  Administrative Council  of  the  National Union of  Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) led by its President, Comrade Igwe Achese at the Government House, Port Harcourt, advised  labour  unions to use strike as the last option in trade disputes to stem the tide of development  challenges  witnessed  as a result of  the  frequency  of  strikes

He added that he believes that workers should be allowed to unionise, so that companies and organisations will be encouraged  to  always  consider  their welfare.

.Wike  also declared  that  the  state  government  will collaborate with NUPENG  as it develops  a Tankers Village  at Eleme with a view to taking tankers off the highways and generating revenue.

According to him; “I believe that strikes should serve as a last option for unions during trade disputes. The strikes in Nigeria are getting too many and efforts should be targeted at reducing them.”

He appreciated  the  leaders of NUPENG for calling off their strike following  his intervention, noting that  the  state  government  has already  called on oil companies  to reciprocate by recalling the sacked  workers.

The governor urged unions to always work towards the development of money spinning ventures,  to reduce their dependence  on check  off dues for survival.

While expressing happiness that NUPENG  is developing  a tankers village/Tank farm in Rivers State,  he directed the State Commissioner  for  Energy and the Special  Adviser on Lands to work  with  the  union to bring the project to fruition  and ensure the release of certificate of occupancy for the project site.

Earlier, President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Aches commended the governor for his development strides in the areas of infrastructure and welfare of workers.

He thanked the governor for intervening in the conflict between unions and oil companies  in the state over the sack of their  members.

Comrade  Achese informed the governor  of the tank farm being constructed  by NUPENG  at Eleme. He appealed to the Governor  to facilitate  the  release of the certificate of occupancy  for the project site