Amalgamation Union of Public Operation Civil Service and Recreational Services Employee ( AUPCTRE) yesterday conducted elections for Imo Transport Company Limited Branch at the ITC park. Comrade Emmanuel Metu, the state Chairman of AUPCTRE in his welcome address before the accreditation and voting process charged the electorates to exercise discipline and patience in order to achieve a free and fair election. He told the contestants that leadership is an opportunity to serve and sacrifice, adding that he has benefitted nothing extraordinary from being a union leader other than the privilege to serve and ensure their welfare. ” There is no benefit in unionism, it is a medium to be used by God to protect the weak and defend the defenseless ”,he started.
Two hundred and fifteen people were accredited and qualified for the election. The election process began gradually and was concluded successfully without rancour or chaos. At the end of the transparent election exercise, Mr Metu K. C became the chairperson with 152 votes, he defeated his opponent Mr Marcel Okeke with 97 votes.Mr Okwosha Donatus Afam became the vice Chairperson with 141 votes while his opponent John Ohahu had 64 votes. Chukwu Paschal emerged the secretary unopposed.
Others are Mr Egwim Arinzechukwu who emerged Assistant Secretary unopposed while Chukwuezi Elizabeth won her opponent with 144 votes.Nwaigwe Kelechi Gideon had 67 votes. Onyenze Joseph became the unopposed secretary finance. Opara Hope emerged the Secretary Welfare with 139 votes, while the opponent had 72 votes. Njiriaku John emerged the Assistant Secretary Information with 122 votes while his opponent Vitalis Ehirim had 92 votes.
The victory of the executive members was welcomed with cheers and applause as majority of voters testified of the winners’ readiness and capacity to discharge their duties as expected. The winners were celebrated and inaugurated during which they took oaths of service.
Comrade James Chukwu, the AUPCTRE state Secretary congratulated the winners and enjoined them to work in synergy with the Management of ITC to achieve maximum productivity for the people of Imo state. ” Trade union is different from other unions. You have to be proactive and work for the interest of the workers to ensure that the workers welfare is protected. Don’t take decisions without due consultations ”,he said and then requested the government of Imo state to inject more buses into the company and also bring more developments for the betterment of ITC and Imo state in general.
The newly elected chairman, Mr K.C Metu on behalf of his executive members thanked God for their emergence. ” We are promising not to let you people down. We are here to serve ITC entirely without taking sides. We are not here for any zone but for everybody. Our work will speak for us”,he reiterated.
The AUPCTRE State Chairman while giving his congratulatory message inferred that trade union work is a sacrificial and thankless job. He emphasized on the responsibilities and duties before them and urged them to work as supposed for the welfare of others and not work with the aim of making money.
