….As Bayelsa Gets Highest Number Of Watercrafts
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Friday , stated that over 3000 boats have been designated for the forthcoming general elections .
The boats are meant for the distribution of sensitive electoral materials within the littoral states of the country.
INEC pointed out that plans are already afoot to deploy 900 watercrafts to Bayelsa State , while Lagos and Rivers States will receive 400 boats each for the exercise.
Other littoral states mentioned in the project include: Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Delta, Ondo, Imo , Kogi, etc.
The Commission discussed modalities on how to implement the principles of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the duo on movement of electoral materials in 17 littoral states across the country before, during and after the general elections slated for February 25 and March 11, 2023.
Prof Bolade Eyinla, Technical Advisor to the INEC Chairman who led delegations of the INEC team explained that the objective of engaging the MWUN personnel, is to ensure credible polls as well as to promote peace , transparency, accountability and credible polls during the exercise.
According to him, the Commission would also provide life jackets, security personnel among other necessities.
He added further that the names and phone numbers of boat drivers and other officials engaged in the exercise shall be made available by INEC and that they shall take oaths of affirmation of neutrality of not having any political affiliation whatsoever.
He maintained that group insurance cover shall be provided for the personnel during the exercise adding that INEC will inspect those boats along with NIMASA, NIWA and Marine Police to be used prior to election to ensure their suitability for usage.
Prof. Enyila said the Nigeria Navy will also provide gunboats for security purposes to complement the movement of materials to various locations across the riverine communities.
The INEC chief stated that the union personnel would be expected to carry election materials from the point of loading to the points of discharge across the waterways to the people in the riverine communities.
This, according to INEC boss, is to make sure that nobody is denied his or her franchise during the voting exercise.
In his response, the President General MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju said the assignment was aimed to promote national interest.
He promised that the union would give its maximum support for the success of the exercise.
Adeyanju, who doubles as the P Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said that injury to one is injury to all, noting that the monetary benefit is not the focus of the union but the spirit of patriotism.
By Roland Ekama
Caption:
From Right: Prof. Enyinla, Bolade Michael (Technical Advisor to INEC Chairman) Comrade (Prince) Adeyanju Adewale, President General MWUN and Deputy President NLC, Mrs Oguntuase Ebidapo Electoral Officer, Apapa. and Mr Felix Daramola, HOD Election Operation, Lagos.
