By Magnus Effiong
Despite the level of massive destruction and vandalization of facilities in the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) by the EndSARS protesters, the Managing Director of the Development Authority (CRBDA) Engineer Bassey Nkposong, has vowed to ensure a comprehensive turnaround of all the vandalized facilities within the next two months.
Engr Mkposong spoke shortly after being conferred with the Most Union Friendly Managing Director of All Time by the Nigerian Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE), CRBDA chapter, weekend.
While commending NUAAE for the honour done to him and for the Union’s recognition of its past executive members and major stakeholders, Nkposong said the gesture was spurring him up to do more and that such goodwill would not go unreciprocated.
“We are determined to change the narratives and turnaround the face of Cross River Basin Development Authority and continuously put smiles on the faces of our workers.
“If you had entered this place shortly after the EndSARS protest, you would have shed tears because of the level of destruction they meted out on this place. People who visited had wondered whether this place would be inhabitable again. Everything was practically destroyed and vandalized so we had to start all over to rebuild the facilities and replace machines to what is now on ground.
“I can beat my chest and say ‘we have done well’ on our own even when we did not receive money for that purpose from the government, but let me thank the President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari for graciously accommodating CRBDA in the 2022 budget.
“With this fund, one could imagine what we can do to revamp and turnaround the CRBDA. Just give us two months and visit us again, and you will marvel at what you will see,” he stated.
Speaking while commending the MD for his robust relationship with the Union, Chairman of NUAAE, CRBDA, Comrade Joseph Effiong, said the Union was proud of Engr Nkposong, especially in areas of infrastructural and human capacity development.
He said: “Let me commend the Managing Director for his good work that he and his management team are doing in our establishment, especially the role they played to the entire staff during the past festive period. Your labour of love will definitely not go unrewarded.”
Apart from commending the MD for infrastructural development spread across the catchment area, the union, however, charged management to laise with relevant authorities to ensure that the issue of delayed staff promotion, non-release of supervision and the overall manpower development were tackled frontally.
Comrade Etim said the event which was aimed at appreciating those who have contributed to the overall success of the authority over the years, was also an opportunity for members of the union and the entire staff to re-strategize for the task ahead in the coming year.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Godwin Ote, said he was impressed at the smooth working relationship existing between the management and the union in the Basin Authority, and therefore called on sister unions in other establishments to imitate the same.
The Chairman of the event, who is also the Managing Director of Implementing Technology Nigeria Limited, Mr. Uko Inaku, who also spoke, said he was proud to be associated with the Union especially with regards to its relationship with the Management.
