MONROVIA – The Jamaica Road Community within the vicinity of the Freeport of Monrovia was recently filled with excitement when some corps of officers of the United Seamen, Port and General Workers Union of Liberia (USPOGUL) was democratically elected to serve office for three years.
By Mae Azango & J. Dennis Weah contributing writer
This culture is normally practiced by members of the sector to forge ahead as it is embedded in the constitution of the body being carried out under the spotlight of the government periodically.
The day-long electoral activities ended with an overwhelming victory in favor of Freeman T. Gueh, as President-elect over Samuel Ken Siaffa the outgoing who presided over the union’s affairs for the past tenure as the President General.
“When you were shaking my hands, tears came down from my eyes because of one reason; you cannot build a house and the house damage the person who built a house and spent money will feel hurt…” Gueh remarked in his thanksgiving statement as President General-elect.
There were forty four legitimate registered members that voted; thirty two ballots were cast for Gueh, while 10 of the votes went for Siaffa, two invalid votes.
The electoral process held under the umbrellas of the Ministry of Labor was supervised by an independent body of trade unionists, as it is also monitored and observed by a representative of the ministry and other allied workers to ensure a free, credible, transparent and democratic transition.
Both presidents elect and outgoing commended the process at the end of the elections’ results in the best interest of their union.
The President General elect Freeman T. Gueh spoke with emphasis on a rapport with the outgoing Samuel Ken Siafa, “Pastor Siafa is not my enemy, I made him and he made me, he will still be with me and we will work together”, PG Gueh in conclusion with members of his union and other trade unionists after the pronouncement of his victory by the Chair of the elections ad-hoc committee.
Other positions contested for were; Vice President, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary General; others are Secretary for Operation, Financial Secretary, Treasury, Women Chair and Chaplain.
Stanley Natt emerged as the Assistant Secretary for Operation and Victor D. M Roberts won the position of Financial Secretary. Others who unopposed were William Kieh Moore, Sr. vice President, Elijah D. Nyenkan General Secretary, Esther M. Geleng Treasury, Finda Fallah Women Chair and Jackson Yancy as Chaplain.
There were scores of seamen, port and general workers who had gathered and participated in a two-day dialogue and interactions at the national convention in support of the union’s past and activities leading to the holding of elections at the administrative headquarters.
Declaring the National Convention of the United Seamen, Port and General Workers Union of Liberia officially opened on March 23rd the outgoing President General, Samuel Ken Siafa told the assembly of his fellow members that despite the stumbling blocks faced during his administration, the union should and always maintain peace and unity as the hallmark in forging ahead for the betterment of the union.
Also speaking a day prior to the elections as representative of the government, Assistant Minister for Trade Union at the Ministry of Labor, Dominic Wreh, assured members of the United Seamen, Port and General Workers Union of Liberia about the ministry’s support in every aspect of the elections.
He said that the overall monitoring of the elections is the priority of the Labor Ministry to ensure fair play and that authority will respect the outcome of their decision from the polls.
George Gibson who is the President General of the Liberia Industrial Workers Union served as Ad-hoc Commissioner Chair while Arthur Poole who conducted the elections for the Port Truckers Union at the Freeport of Monrovia also occupied the position of Co-chair.
Gibson believed that those who spearhead electoral processes must have integrity for transparency and accountability and therefore his team has a record that has been tested and proven worthy of the task.