The maritime workers union, small craft operations unit, Bonny chapter, at the weekend elected and inaugurated her executives.
The election took place at Muriely Hotel, Bonny in the Bonny local government area of Rivers state.
The electoral officer Hon. Surju Blue-Jack conducted the said election and confirmed that the election was free and fair, noting that Maritime union is a family that needs to be in unity in the interest of the union.
Hon. Sunju charged the elected officers to work as a team so as to promote the image of the Maritime industry in the area. He said that the Maritime industry needs unity among its members. According to him, the election was just to choose those to effectively pilot the affairs of the union in Bonny LGA, adding that there was no victor, no failure.
He charged the elected officers to carry all members along in the scheme of things. The electoral officer assured that he would do his best in terms of moral advice to the executive, pointing out that he conducted the election through the policies of the union’s constitution which spelled out the rules.
The elected people were Comrade Blessing Jumbo- Chairman, Ayibapiriny Missango-Vice Chairman, Harrison Oguayi Secretary, John I. Ebete-Assistant secretary.
Others are Peter Gree Treasurer, Simeon Martins Financial Secretary, Vincent Hart Public Relation officer and Amie John Provost.
In his speech, the elected chairman, Comrade Blessing Jumbo, thanked all members for giving him the opportunity to be at the helm of the affairs of the union in Bonny chapter.
Jumbo assured that he would do his best in discharging his duties. He appealed that all hands should be on deck so as to make the job easy.
He also tasked the elected officers to work as a team for the interest of the Maritime stressing the need to embrace God in discharging their duties. According to him, “I will frown if my executive will not show cooperation to me. I will share my cooperation among us” he added.
The chairman used the opportunity to call on all members of Maritime to work closely with the newly elected executive for the benefit of the industry, saying that the maritime industry cannot be over emphasised in the area and that Bonny LGA has only one route of going out and coming in.
Jumbo urged drivers operating in the area to shun rumour among them, but be focused on their daily assignments.
The chairman appealed to boat owners to revisit the enumeration of the drivers as the drivers will be happy in discharging their duties effectively.
In his remarks, the secretary, Comrade Harrison Oguaji lauded the electoral officer for the free and fair election conducted. He also commended members for turning out in mass to perform their right as members of Maritime operating in Bonny Waterfront.
The secretary used the opportunity to call on the state government to come to the aid of Bonny people by re-dredging Bonny/Port Harcourt waterfront saying that the waterfront is a dead trap to all travelers, as Bonny has no other way of traveling.
Mr. Oguaji noted that the pontoon should be replaced with a better one that will be long lasting, opining that government should invite those operating at the waterfronts for suggestions. ####
Christopher David Hart
