As part of move to cushion the economic effects on staff of the Independent National Commission (INEC), the Staff Welfare Association of Abia INEC,has raised a passionate appeal to the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, to support the association with a bus, that can help convey staff members to work.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) cum end of the year party,the chairman of the INEC Staff Welfare. Association(ISWA), Mazi Collins Eze, said in the face of the economic crunch ,where transportation cost is heightened, a transportation support from the government, would help assist workers to come to work and regularly and promptly.
At the event which was held at the INEC Media Centre, Mazi Collins Eze, said the association have continuously appealed for a bus from the State government but to no avail, stating that he won’t relent in bringing their need to the fore,knowing its importance.
Eze while reeling out some of the successes recorded in the past three years of his tenure, said the association succeeded in befitting its Secretariat, kept up with its re-current expenditures, and as well, ensuring successful burial ceremonies for two of their fallen members, who died in active service (Mr. Sunday Imo & Mrs. Chinwenwa Onyekwere).
He said the association was up to date with payment of honorarium to those who celebrated wedding, child dedication ceremonies, burial of their parents,among other events.
According to Mazi Eze, his leadership style is innovative, having invented various means of assisting the members who were in dire financial needs, by providing platforms soliciting for financial supports on their behalf, commending the timely response of ISWA member to the needs of staff,which he described as the secret behind the success of his administration.
Continuing , the ISWA Chairman disclosed that his administration was the first to hold the all encompassing INEC Abia State Solemn Assembly, a programme that provided an atmosphere for spiritual reinvigoration and rejuvenation, while offering time tested lectures on various aspects of their career by Mr. Samuel Anthony, former Head of Department GAP, Rt. Rev Chinedu Okoroafor PhD, the Moderator, Umuahia Synod and Minister in charge of Presbyterian church of Nigeria, Umuahia Parish, the former ISWA chairman, Mr Godwin Nnoke, and others.
“This Administration in the cause of the year, had high powered collaboration with INEC Management and for the first time in its history, organized send-forth ceremony for retiring staff which served as a time of re-union and sober reflection amongst staff members.
“Let me remind us that the provision of vehicle to and fro for our colleagues in Aba and environs is another brain child of our administration, which has helped in easing the burden of transportation cost on our members and their large turn-out in this year’s party, is an eloquent testimony to the viability and importance of the project”.
Mazi Collins Eze
Pointing its challenges, Mazi Collins Eze reiterated that the association was confronted with numerous challenges ranging from accommodation, dwindling finances as a result of the retirement of about thirty two (32) staff members. “If this continues, there might be need to take another look at our income as an association”,he said.
Eze while reminding the members of his tenure that is winding up, having served two tenures, said in the coming year, his leadership would be reviewing the #5000 apportioned for the yearly gift of each member, due to the rising cost of items, adding that if their income improves in the coming years, they would extend such gestures to other parts of the state.
However, the ISWA chairman while narrating his journey, described it as adventurous, putting right strategies to surmount challenges at every stage and appreciated the support and cooperation of the staff, while wishing everyone
a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. He prayed God to keep every member alive to witness the new year.
Highpoint of the event was the conferment of the “Best Staff of the Year Award” on Lady Ngozi Nwafor,who is a Director in the Commission and the distribution of cartons of sachet tomatoes to staff as Christmas package.
