*Says ‘strike in Nigeria are getting too many’

By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT—Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has 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 in the country.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike 

Governor Wike also said that the state government will collaborate with National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, as it develops a Tankers Village at Eleme with a view to taking tankers off the highways and generating revenue.

Addressing the National Administrative Council of NUPENG, led by its President, Igwe Aches at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Governor Wike said that he believed that workers should be allowed to unionise so that companies and organisations will be encouraged to always consider their welfare.

He said: “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 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.

Expressing happiness that NUPENG was 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.

Governor Wike, however, said that the state will work out amnesty for criminals and cultists who lay down their arms and embrace peace.

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