HoS Charges Maritime Workers On Adaptation To Economic Realities

The Head of Service of Rivers State, Dr. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has called on members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers Commercial District, to embrace emerging opportunities arising from ongoing infrastructural development in the state.

She gave the charge while receiving the leadership of the union, led by its Chairman, Amasenibo Israel Pepple, on a courtesy visit to her office in Port Harcourt.

Welcoming the delegation, the Head of Service urged maritime workers affected by the opening of the Bodo–Bonny Road to adapt to what she described as a “new normal,” noting that access to Bonny Island is no longer principally by sea but now largely through motorable means.

She emphasized that development inevitably brings change and charged the union’s members to redirect their focus to alternative and profitable ventures made possible by the road project.

She assured the delegation that their concerns would be formally conveyed to the Governor His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for consideration.

Dr. Brown further advised members of the union to acquire professional driving skills to enhance their chances of benefiting from any transport-related opportunities that may arise should the government respond favourably to their requests.

She noted that every meaningful development comes with its price, and encouraged the affected workers to brace up to the attendant challenges while positioning themselves for the broader economic gains that infrastructural advancement promises.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the union, Amasenibo Israel Pepple, congratulated Dr. Brown on her appointment as Head of Service and thanked her for the warm reception accorded the delegation.

He appealed to the State Government, through her office, to consider job placement opportunities for over 4,000 members of the union who, according to him, lost their livelihoods following the opening of the Bodo–Bonny Road, which significantly reduced sea-based commercial activities.

The union leader also suggested palliative measures, including the provision of transit buses to affected members under cooperative arrangements, as a means of cushioning the economic impact of the transition occasioned by the new road infrastructure.

The highpoint of the visit was the symbolic presentation of souvenirs by the union’s chairman to the Head of Service, underscoring the cordial relationship between the union and the state government.

• Godam is the Information and Public Relations Officer, Office of the HoS.