Metro

BREAKING: COVID-19 Heath Workers Block Hospital Management Board’s Entrance, Demand Payment Of Allowances In Edo

Published

4 years ago

June 30, 2020

Mobile screening team of the Edo State COVID-19 response on Tuesday, June 30, staged a protest in Benin city over the state government’s refusal to pay their two months allowances.

The protesters blocked the entrance leading to the premises of the state Hospital Management Board thereby preventing movement in and out of the compound.

The screening team which comprises medical doctors, health personnel, contact tracers, data collectors among others, was initiated to trace people who have had contacts with COVID-19 patients, all in a bid to ramp up testing in the state.

The Edo state COVID-19 response team led by Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki earlier set up the mobile screening with a target to screen and test 500,000 and 15,000 persons, respectively.

But to their greatest surprise after working for two months they received a WhatsApp message from the Incident Manager COVID-19 mobile screening exercise, Andrew Obi, disengaging them from their duties without due payment of monthly allowances.

Speaking on behalf of the ad-hoc staff, Ojei Emmanuel said they have been treated with lack of pity and compassion.

According to him, he (Andrew Obi) sent us a message without showing his face and that is not a credible act by any person.

“I come from a distance, I pay N600 on a daily basis for transport fare, and I have been doing that for 61 days.

“We just came in today to find out that we have been relieved of the job and we have not been paid for two months. We have 26 groups containing about eight persons per group. There are group leaders in each group; there are doctors.

“Though it was 31 days, we still agree to be paid 90,000 from the outset not 93,000. So, why we are being owed, we don’t know, why we are being relieved of the job, we still also do not know; all we want is for them to pay what is due to us,” he added.

Another who identified himself as Philip said, “Some of us have tested positive in the line of duty, they even gave us empty mifi and we use our money to buy data. They have been telling us to be patient but noting has been done about it.

“Many of us can not even hug our children at home. This is inhumane and should be addressed.

Effort to speak with the the state Commissioner for health was dashed as he was stopped from speaking to journalists on the issue when newsmen met him at the office of the Deputy Governor of the state with the promise that the Deputy Governor, who is the head of technical committee.

The Deputy Governor did not, however, attend to journalists after much waiting, rather his CPS, Musa Ebomhiane shut newsmen out from meeting him.

He responded when approached to see his principal: “But he has seen you, what else do you want”?

Metro

Policeman Shot, Three Arrested Over Land Dispute In Delta

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Police operatives from the Okpanam Division, in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have arrested three police officers who allegedly encroached and supervised the destruction of the properties in the community.

It was gathered that the property belonged to Ogbeozoma tenants in the land area in a dispute between the Ogbeozoma quarters of Okpanam and Akpoma quarters Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

A source, who spoke to The PUNCH on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press, disclosed that when the people of Ogbeozoma received information that some people were destroying their properties, they mobilised to the site.

He said, “On arrival, they were confronted by the officers, as other people who came with them for the operation, took to their heels.

“In the process, one of the police officers the Ogbeozoma people brought, identified as Inspector Sanni Taiwo, was shot and was rushed to the hospital where he was receiving treatment.

“The arrested officers claimed they were attached to the CTU Base 44, Force Headquarters, Abuja, while the driver of one of the payloaders was also arrested.

“They were sent by a popular hotelier from the South-East origin but based in Asaba.”

As of the time of filing this report, the three officers and the payloader driver had been transferred to the police command headquarters, while the two Hilux vehicles and two payloaders recovered from the site were parked on the premises of Okpanam Police Division.

Items recovered from the suspects, according to our source, included two guns and some live cartridges.

When contacted on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Abaniwanda Olufemi, told PUNCH Metro that he was in Abuja for the IG meeting and was yet to be briefed.

Metro

JUST IN: 8 Children Rescued From Accident In Kogi

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Eight school children have survived a motor accident in Lokoja the Kogi State capital.

An Eyewitness account told DAILY POST that the children are pupils of Kingdom Heritage Nursery and Primary School Lokoja.

DAILY POST gathered that the children were returning from school when the sad incident occurred on Thursday at the popular Lokongoma market in Lokoja.

It was further gathered that a heavy-duty truck carrying a container load fell on two small vehicles which trapped the Children.

Through the combined effort of the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies, the children were rescued.

The Kogi State Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara Rtd. who was on ground to ensure the rescue of the school children confirmed this to newsmen on Thursday.

As of 5:17PM, efforts are still in place to ensure that the truck is evacuated from the road to ensure free flow of traffic.

Metro

Church Members Protest, Disown Faction Promoting LGBTQ Rights

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Editor

Hundreds of members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Gombe State have protested against a factional group accused of promoting LGBTQ rights and regionalization.

The members made the bold stance against the recognition of LGBTQ rights during a protest that took place at the Northern and Central Nigeria Annual Conferences in Gondum village, Shongom local government area of Gombe State.

Protesters, carrying placards rejecting LGBTQ and regionalization, stated their commitment to a unified church and their opposition to what they deem as “unholy acts.”

Yohana Wesley, Resident Bishop of the Nigeria UMC, stated that the factional group’s refusal to adhere to established procedures led to the decision to disown them.

Chipau Kiliyobas, Director of Connectional Ministry of Northern Nigeria UMC Annual Conference, noted that the disagreement over regionalization and LGBTQ issues was the root of the contention between the two groups.

Bishop John Schol, representing the Council of Bishops from the United States, attempted to reconcile the factions and unify all church members.

However, his remarks were met with resistance from the protesters.

Schol clarified that regional decisions on same-sex marriage would be respected, with no imposition from the global church, but the protesters remained steadfast in their opposition to LGBTQ recognition.

The traditional and majority group in the church deem LGBTQ acts as unholy, and their protest stated their strong stance against any recognition of such rights within the church community.