RIVERS NSCDC REACHES AGREEMENT WITH PHED, AS TRADE UNION CONGRESS PROMISES STRONGER COLLABORATIONS

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, says it has reached a workable agreement with the Power Holding Electricity Distribution Company of Nigeria in Port Harcourt.

The agreement is to proffer possible solutions to the misunderstanding, which led to the disconnection of the Command’s Power Supply before the General Elections.

At a strategic meeting with the New Executives of the Rivers State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the Commandant of NSCDC in Rivers State, Michael Besong Ogar said the event that led to the mal-handling of the PHED Staff was highly condemnable and regrettable that the management of the Corps frowns at all acts of dehumanization, brutality and infringement of the fundamental human rights of citizens.

Michael Besong Ogar maintained that stronger collaborations with the Command and relevant agencies would enhance a better relationship and effective service delivery.

He said: “I want to sympathize with the Staff of PHED that were purportedly molested; the Command is already making moves to ameliorate their pains. We are not happy with the action taken by our operatives as they are currently facing punitive measures at the National Headquarters in Abuja.

”We also believe that the disciplinary measures put in place would serve as a deterrent to others, nursing such condemnable behaviour in their mind”.

He however promised to look into the payment of the electricity bill.

“Let me also relay that my administration will commence payment of the amount, which accrued as electricity bill/debt and we will start immediately”.

The NSCDC Commander in Rivers State Michael Besong Ogar expresswd satisfaction with the executives of TUC for their intervention in the issue.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of DSC Olufemi Ayodele quoted the Commander the State Commandant as saying: “As I commend the positive move of the executives of the TUC, who have always been partners in progress, let me also reiterate our commitment to a good working relationship with all our critical stakeholders; we will appreciate your support most especially by giving credible information that would assist us in the fights against oil theft in Rivers State.

‘It is very lamentable that export of crude oil in the nation has not reached three million barrel per day, just as it is in some nations of the world.

“However, we will not deter in fighting oil theft in Rivers State, which is the main reason we need you to collaborate with us”.

Earlier in his felicitation speech, the TUC Chairman in Rivers State Chapter, Comerade Sir Ikechuckwu Foster lauded the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi for the crop of highly professional and erudite officers deployed to serve in NSCDC Rivers State Command.

The TUC boss in Rivers State, Comerade Sir Ikechuckwu Foster noted that with their level of expertise in mediation, conciliation, diplomacy, human resource management and other fields of study, the entire TUC in the State is delighted to work in synergy with the Command by providing actionable intelligence and information that would help in eradicating environmental degradation, air and water pollution and other health hazards associated with illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.

He further said that the misunderstanding between the PHED management and the Command calls for transformational collaborations, which would definitely improve and promote healthy relationship in subsequent times.

“We sincerely appreciate the Rivers State Commandant for giving us the opportunity to discuss and reach laudable and workable terms in resolving the matter, which has been trending for the past few weeks, having listened to him I affirm and promise in my capacity as the TUC Chairman that this matter is already resolved and we would meet the PHED management and get your light reconnected in due course.

“We thank you for the embraced peace and tranquility and pray that God bless our Nation and the good people of Rivers State”.

In the high point of the strategic meeting the Command helmsman gladly presented the TUC Chairman an award Plaque and hard copies of the NSCDC ACT 2003 and the 2007 Amendment Act.