The Rivers State Head of Service, Dr Inyingi Brown, has urged members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers Commercial District, to seize emerging opportunities arising from the state’s ongoing infrastructural projects.
The state government, in a statement posted on its website on Thursday, said Dr Brown made the call while receiving the union’s leadership, led by Chairman Amasenibo Israel Pepple, during a courtesy visit to her Port Harcourt office.
While welcoming the delegation, she encouraged maritime workers affected by the opening of the Bodo–Bonny Road to adjust to what she described as a “new normal.” She highlighted that access to Bonny Island had shifted from primarily sea-based travel to predominantly motorable routes.
Dr Brown noted that development invariably brings change and urged the union’s members to redirect their efforts toward alternative, profitable ventures enabled by the road project.
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She assured the delegation that their concerns would be formally conveyed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for consideration. She also advised union members to acquire professional driving skills to maximise potential transport-related opportunities should the government respond favourably to their requests.
Dr Brown added that every meaningful development comes at a cost, encouraging affected workers to embrace the challenges while positioning themselves for the broader economic benefits that infrastructural advancement promises. However, Pepple congratulated Brown on her appointment as Head of Service and thanked her for the warm reception.
He appealed to the state government, through her office, to consider job placements for over 4,000 union members who lost livelihoods due to the Bodo–Bonny Road opening, which significantly reduced sea-based commercial activities.
The union leader also proposed palliative measures, including providing transit buses to affected members under cooperative arrangements, as a way to mitigate the economic impact of the road project. The visit concluded with the symbolic presentation of souvenirs by the union chairman to Dr. Brown, underscoring the cordial relationship between the union and the state government.
