Welders: NEC, Rivers Branch’s Crisis Deepens

The crisis between the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Welders Association (NWA) and the Rivers State branch, (Zone C) of the association is yet to abate.

The crisis is the fall-out of the alleged dissolution of the zone C executive of the association by the National Executive Council (NEC) on the ground of financial impropriety, after an audit report at the instance of the National President of the association, Comrade Moses Akande.

The Zone C of the association led by its Chairman, Comrade Obioma Azunda is protesting the alleged dissolution by the NEC, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.

The Zone C branch, investigation reveals, is hinging its protest on the fact that the manner adopted by the National Executive Council in the purported audit of the branch defied the constitutional provision of the association.

Speaking with The Tide in an interview in Port Harcourt, Zone C Provost of the association, Comrade Gbenenwi Biira said the constitutional provision for the auditing of any zone vests powers with the three official auditors, and anything contrary is unconstitutional and unacceptable.

Comrade Biira said a situation where the President will send the Zonal Chairman of Imo State Branch of the body, Comrade Donald Ozurike and the National Auditor 111, Leader Oweisuo to audit zone C, was illegal.

While denying the cases of financial impropriety leveled against them, he accused the national president of taking over the duties of the zone, complaining that roles such as appointment of unit branch chairmen and negotiations with oil companies had been taken over by the national president.

When contacted on phone, the National President of the body, Comrade Moses Akande said that the National Executive Council, has the right to dissolve and reconstitute any zonal executive, adding that a caretaker committee headed by Emeka Ogbowu had been set up by NEC to man the affairs of the zone in the interim.

Meanwhile, Comrade Chris Onye, Rivers State chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has already waded into the crisis with a view of resolving the impasse.

Beemene Taneh