The Membership of the Sierra Leone Seafarers Union on Saturday, November 11, 2016 elected a new executive to run the affairs of the Union for the next five years.
The executive election was observed by several stakeholder representatives from the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and other union representatives.
Speaking before the start of voting, the Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Shipping Company expressed delight that the Seafarers are holding an election to have in place an executive to champion their cause.
He called for unity within the union, which he noted, will give them adequate authority to lobby or negotiate for more jobs for their members. He maintained that unity within the union will also empower the executive to forge partnerships with International Shipping Companies since Sierra Leone does not own a ship of her own. He said in the past Sierra Leone had three shipping vessels but plans are underway to partner with an Italian company to promote the sector.
Statements were also made by representatives of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, urging the membership of the union to focus on their aims and objectives.
Giving an overview of the Union, the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Seafarers Union, Tejan A. Savage said the union was established in the 1930s but over the years the union has been made ineffective.
He said they have come together to revive the union and make it more responsible to address the needs of the membership.
“Our major focus is to unite the membership after the election and also promote the shipping the industry,” he stated.
He went on that they intend to engage development partners in the shipping industry and applauded the government for improving the facilities at the National Ports Authority.
After the conduct of the executive election for the union, Tommy Douglas emerged as President defeating his contender, Bashiru Kamara.
Tejan Savage and Sirus Sheriff went unopposed as Secretary General Assistant Secretary General respectively. The rest of the new executive include: Hassan Banya as Financial Secretary, Abdul A. Kanu as Organising Secretary and Mathew J. Moses as Treasurer.
In his victory speech, the new President of the Sierra Leone Seafarers Union expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the membership for electing him and assured that now that elections are over they should work as a team to promote the union.
By Saidu Bah
Monday November 14, 2016