….Elects New Exco
Imo civil servants under the umbrella of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, Imo State,have held its 4th quadrennial delegates conference/ workshop in Owerri the Imo State capital, with a vow to continue supporting Gov Hope Uzodinma, because of his sterling performance.
The industrial union which made its stand public through its branch chairman, Comrade Basil Iwu, during the quadrennial delegates conference at Pensioners House, Owerri, noted that the decision of the union stemmed from the governor’s numerous welfare packages extended to workers in the state and the general achievements of his administration.
Sir Iwu listed the many packages that have accrued to Imo workers from the governor, to include provision of free buses for workers; provision of vehicles to permanent secretaries; renovation and refurbishing of the state secretariat, prompt payment of salary and pension; promotion of workers in arrears from 2014 to 2022 and payment of N40.000 minimum wage.
Others include restoration of full payment of check off dues to industrial unions and provision of robust palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and granting of waiver for employment of teachers.
The chairman also listed the governor’s giant strides in construction of quality roads across the three zones of the state, his passion for youth development and empowerment as reflected by the training of 500,000 youths and women in skills acquisition and appointment of two of their comrades, Barr Raymond Ucheoma and Comrade Austin Chilakpu as Head of Service and Special Adviser on Labour Matters respectively.
According to him, a governor who has done all he listed for the workers and Imo people generally, deserve to be supported to continue in his good work, assuring that they would continue to support him without distractions.
Sir Iwu appealed to the governor to provide the association with office accommodation and a bus to help them in the running of their activities and programs, even as he solicited the appointment of permanent secretaries in ministries where vacancy exist and granting of waiver for employment of young graduates into the civil service.
On the performance of the union at the state level, the chairman rated its performance excellent, considering that he took over leadership mantle at a turbulent time.
He revealed that through their efforts and those of the organized labour in the state, civil servants who were illegally dismissed and suspended during the last administration were all recalled and reinstated.
He posited that the union under his leadership has contributed enormously towards ensuring industrial peace and harmony in the state, adding that due to their pragmatism a member of ASCN, is now chairing the National Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, NJPSNC, in the state, just as it boasts of many executive members in the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in the state.
Comrade Iwu showered praises on the national president of the union, Comrade Tommy Okon and his executive for the enormous transformation they have brought to the union, pointing out that the branch had benefitted from their innovative leadership, as could be seen in his nomination in 2022 to attend an overseas training workshop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Representative of the National President of the union, who is the National Vice President Comrade kennis Ngene commented the harmonious industrial relationship existing between the governor, and workers in the state, describing it as worthy of emulation.
He called for speedy implementation of palliatives measures and packages by the government in the state to help cushion the hardship and suffering that has been inflicted on workers by the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Comrade Ngene disclosed that the national leadership of union had done so much to take the union to greater heights, and enumerated some the achievements to include training and retraining of members, and making of vital inputs that eventually result to policies and programmes that benefit Nigerian workers.
Also, speaking the Special Adviser to Gov Uzodinma on Labour Matters, Comrade Austin Chilakpu noted that his appointment has helped greatly in bridging the gap between organized labour and the government.
While promising to sustain that trajectory, Comrade Chilakpu expressed concerns over the dwindling passion for unionism and activism among workers in the state, noting that if urgent steps are not taken to reverse the trend trade unionism maybe become history in the state soon.
He harped on the need to rediscover the values that made organized labour formidable, courageous, feared and respected across board, even as he lauded the union for finding time to come together to take stock of its activities and chart the way forward.
In his contribution, Comrade Uche Nwigwe State chairman Civil Service Union, urged members of the union to always try to use their management positions to facilitate implementation of agreements with government that would positively impact workers.
In his goodwill speech, Barr Enyinna Onuegbu Special Adviser Political Matters to Gov Uzodinma, expressed delight on the cordial relationship existing between government and Imo workers.
He urged them to continue to work closely with government for the upgrading of their own welfare and growth and development of the state, assuring that he will at all times continue to partner them for the progress of the state and the union.
Mr Abimbola Ogunsoya who stood in for the Barr Raymond Ucheoma, Imo State Head of Service, assured Imo workers of his preparedness to continue to engage the governor to bring about improved working environment and welfare of workers.
He emphasized the need for them to strive to work hard for improved productivity, pointing out the governor is a man who cherishes and rewards hardwork and merit.
Barr Ucheoma stressed the need for industrial unions to at all times elect leaders with character and competence, so that they can contribute to the positive growth and development of their unions and organized labour.
In his lecture, titled: Workers Productivity, The Dynamics of Employers Obligations” a labour union veteran and former permanent secretary in the state civil service, Nze Obinna Agharanwa,decried the country’s perennial position in almost all negative indices of growth and development.
Noting that the bad situation of the country has moved from bad to worse in the last few years, Nze Agharanwa, noted that though the future looks bleak, the story could still change for the better if all stakeholders put hand together for the purpose of salvaging the country.
He said labour unions must be prepared and ready to play a leading role in the salvaging mission, adding however, that to play the role required of it, leaders of organized labour should begin to work on changing their strategies and taking on more aggressive steps in pursuing of a better Nigeria.
The highlight of the event was the Inauguration of a new executive of the union to pilot its business for the next four years which has Sir Basil Emeka Iwu as chairman.
Other members of the executive are Comrade Bidokwu Henry State Secretary, Comrade. Georgy Alan B Onyemaechi …Vice Chairman, Dr Felix Ugo….Vice Chairman, Engr Uchenna Ibe, TreasurerKelechi EKomaru….Internal Auditor,Ogechi John Njoku …EX Officio, Kelechi Akagha….Ex Officio, Amaefu Beatrice. Ex officio, Anozie Georginia ..Ex officio and Chidozie Onyeulor Ex officio
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