Edith CHUKU
Worried that the prolonged political crisis has crippled governance in Rivers State, the Trade Union Congress TUC, has called for an end to the rifts, insisting that there will be no development without peace in the state.
TUC called on elders, leaders of thought and the civil society to intervene to restore peace in the oil-rich state, while urging the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to focus on governance.
The state TUC chairman, Dr Udoka Josiah, lamented that the one of the effects of the lingering political crisis on governance were the debris that have taken over the streets of Port Harcourt due to distraction.
Speaking during a media parley, Josiah expressed dismay that Port Harcourt has become a garbage city, losing its garden city status to refuse heap which have taken over the streets of Port Harcourt, and it’s environs.
His words, “we want to call on the government and the good people of Rivers State that all we need in the state is peace. Development cannot come in a situation where there is crisis.
“The situation in the state is really uncalled for. For those who actually believe in the state, it will be so bad seeing the state turned upside down and that’s what we don’t want. We as a labour centre, we are not interested in any faction, we want the state to work.
“If you are coming from Igwuruta, the sights are disheartening. From Eleme down to Oil Mill down to Garrison; the sights are equally shocking. Refuse all over the place. Lawlessness all on our roads.
“We cannot continue like this, that is why we must all join hands to make sure that the government of Rivers State concentrates on governance.
”Political crisis will only succeed in destabilising the state and that’s what we don’t want. We as civil servants are always the first hit before any other person. If there is crisis in the state how do we as civil servants work with the government?”
Meanwhile, the chairman commended Fubara for the ongoing renovation work at the State Secretariat Complex.
He charged him to, “get the best of workers, the environment has to be conducive and that’s what the governor is doing and we appreciate him.
“He should renovate the abandoned Port Harcourt International Airport Hotel and make it an extension of the state-owned Hotel Presidential.
“The governor should hire more staff and post them to the Adokiye Amiesiemaka International Stadium to prevent the facility from decaying.”
