President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comr. Abdulwaheed Omar has called on the federal government of Nigeria to see dialogue as the best way to tackle the issue of Boko Haram in the country.
Omar made this call in Port Harcourt, at the just concluded two day 5th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Union, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees AUPCTRE, which ended in Port Harcourt.
He spoke on the need for government to dialogue with the sect, not just granting amnesty, but to understand what the people are agitating for and come to terms with them and see how to move the nation forward the NLC boss added that there has to be peace before any meaningful investment can take place, pointing out that even Nigerians would not want to invest in an atmosphere of insecurity, as business is all about maximizing profit.
Comrade Omar however called on the Nigerian government to set-up a special trained patrol or task force to ensure that the problem of oil theft in the country is properly stopped through patrol in all oil producing communities. He solicit urgent measures to that effect, saying that it would be a disservice to allow Nigerian money to go into one person’s pocket.
He maintained that the menace has to be urgently checkmated, as no one could predict when the oil will be exhausted. Omar added that Nigeria is a prayerful nation and the need for the people to continue to pray that the leaders will continue to do those things that are expected of them, for the interest of the entire nation.
In same vein, Comr. Fadipe Moses, President of senior staff Association, Nigerians shippers’ council stated that their presence was to give support to AUPCTRE which is a body they belong to. He disclosed that their soveniers at the conference was an exhibition of the niche which they have carved at the Nigerian Ports, Fadipe maintained that Nigeria is disadvantaged in transportation, since they do not have ships, pointing that such development paved way for foreigners to the advantage of charging and increasing charges even on demurrage tagging Nigeria as a volatile region during the military era and now Boko Haram vogue.
Fadipe maintained that the foreigners quickly commence their increase in charges just within one month of operation, than after 3 months as stipulated. He affirmed that handling over the ports to the consentioners now, it will worsen the situation as there will be no regulatory body again to checkmate their activities at the ports.
He wondered where in the world or country that operates without a regulator, explaining that cabotage is a way of encouraging Nigeria participation in the shipping business. He also said that it is only when Nigerians invest in that direction that the cries of the people will abate.
A new election of AUPCTRE delegates at the Port Harcourt conference saw the emergency of about 14 elected officers with comrade Adelegan Solomon emerging as the 5th president and were sworn-in to office.
In his post-election speech, Comrade Solomon the new AUPCTRE president, appreciated God by saying that if God does not build a house, that the builder build in vain. He commenced his fellow comrade for their supports and doggness to ensure the election success.
He affirmed their acceptance of the honour given to them and promised never to disappoint the people, promising to build a new AUPCTRE secretariat from foundation, adding that AUPCTRE is the eye of the people.
Adelegan announced the relocation of their Lagos office to Abuja with immediate effect and set up commutes to handle the relocation process
He commended the out gone administration for the land acquisition and the need for them to take off from there. ###
Blaise Elumezie
