NUEE, Edo State Council holds 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference, elects new Executives

The National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Edo State Council has held its 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference 2022 in Benin with a charge on newly elected Executives to render selfless service to the union as they pilot the affairs of the union for another three years.

In an opening remark, the Vice President ( West ), Comrade Sadiq Adewale appreciated the outgoing executives for offering themselves to serve the union during a very turbulent period.

Comrade Adewale urged the management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, not to see NUEE as a threat and a nuisance as they are the critical stakeholders and should be carried along in the scheme of things.

He stressed that the experience of their members for the past nine years was unpleasant expressing hope that the new management of BEDC will provide a conducive environment for their members to work and also excel.

Comrade Adewale urged BEDC management to set a sustainable target and consider their employees in implementing their policies.

He advised the incoming Excos to always be in touch with the national leaders and wait for directives from them.

The MD/ CEO, of BEDC, Dr Henry Ajagbawa said strategies and plans have been rolled out to enable the workforce to drive the company’s objectives noting that workers must be treated like human beings on the point of value and not like resources that should be exploited.

Dr Ajagbawa who was represented by the Head, Human Capital Management, Dr Obinna Obi emphasized the need for communication, collaboration and engagement to ensure that the values of employees are sustained maintaining that management has increased salaries and has put a couple of policies in place to motivate workers.

While pointing out that all the concerns cannot be addressed in a day, Dr Ajagbawa assured that within three months all concerns will be addressed.

The Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Omoruyi Ben said that the national leadership of the Union is looking forward to seeing the emergence of committed people as state council executives who will drive the union and participate in national struggles as the challenges ahead are enormous.

He explained that the Union’s decisions are geared toward protecting their jobs and the future of members.

The Zonal Organising Secretary, Comrade Nash Shuaibu assured that the employees will do their best to meet the cooperate goals of the company.

He appealed to the company not to transfer union functionaries in the field as well as look into the issue of the transfer of nursing mothers and the provision of data allowances to their workforce.

Member of the Central Executive Council, CEC, ( West), Comrade Engr. David Ehigiamusoe told delegates that unionism is not a do-or-die affair and urged contestants to take the result of the election in good fate.

Comrade Engr. Ehigiamusoe said unionism is a call to serve and sacrifice and ensure the interest and welfare of members are realized.

On his part, the out-going State Chairman, Comrade Akhanene Stanley said they had a rough time in the last three years resulting and has produced four chairmen noting that such challenges in leadership were due to either retirement, voluntary withdrawal from service or suspension from union activities which had its negative impact on the smooth running of the union.

Comrade Stanley said that inspite of the challenges the union has remained strong in her pivotal role in struggling for the welfare of members even in the face of the high-handedness of the out- gone BEDC management towards the union and her members.

He emphasized the gains of the Union-Management relationship and urged delegates to elect credible, dedicated, diplomatic, fearless and uncompromising men and women who will be committed to the objectives of the union.

In his inaugural speech, the newly elected Chairman, Comrade Williams Owenaze thanked the national leaders and the delegates from the various chapters of the union for finding him worthy to serve them and assured a more stronger and committed union that will focus on the welfare of the workforce.

He urged employees to cooperate with the Excos to ensure a more vibrant union.

The highpoint of the conference was the swearing-in of the newly elected Executive Council that will pilot the affairs of the State union for three years.

Elected members of Edo State Council are Comrade Williams U. Owenaze ( Chairman), Comrade Utomi Augustine ( Vice Chairman), Comrade Nnamdi Ezeanochie ( Secretary), Comrade Okumagbe Christopher( Assist. Sec.), Comrade Mrs Elno Izevbizua( Treasurer), Comrade Igbafe James ( Trustee), Comrade Abimbola Afolabi ( Chairperson, Women/ Gender Committee). While the youth wing of the Council was also inaugurated.

Present at the occasion were national leaders of NUEE, State Leaderships of NUPENG, TUC, the representative of the NLC, Edo State Chairman, Comrade Philomena Osabuohien( Woman Leader, NLC) and the State Secretary of NLC, Comrade Stanley Imade.