The 2nd Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Bricklayers Association held on Wednesday in Ibadan at the Ancient Mapo Hall,the capital of Oyo State.
The General meeting which comprised the chairmen and executive members of seven states in Nigeria which include Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos and Kwara states bedrocked on the need for more annexations of members across the country under a platform which will help to formalize the Association.
In a welcome address delivered by the host association and as well the Oyo State Association Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Adebayo Arowoselu, ably represented by the state secretary, Alhaji Badmus Wasiu Tunde stated that essence of the meeting dwelt on growth and development of the Association and equally to discuss process to formalize the association in the country; largely on how to acquire a national registration certificate, integration of cement producing companies in the country and formal recognition of the Association by the government in the country.
“The purpose of today’s meeting is based on the development of our great Association, and as well to discuss about certificate of Nigeria Bricklayers Association
” Also to discuss our basic duties and responsibilities as an individual and as well find away of accessing formal annexations of Dangote and Lafarge Cement Companies as the case may be”, he said.
In the reactions , members from seven states of the Association called for uniform constitution of the Association, formal registration of the Association with the federal government, constitution of national executive members and formal association’s national anthem.
In his response ,Lagos state chairman of the association, Engr. Oyebamiji Taiwo insisted that only the state chairmen and three members from respective states’ association should continue their formal leadership while date of national executives inauguration be announced after general rotational meeting across the existing state- members.
Consequently, Ondo State Chairman, Mr Oloyindaramola condemned poor association’s tax payment.
” It is quite unfortunate that we are all here pointing fingers at the government towards the association’s poor reckoning while each of the state members refuses to pay his tax”
” Our Governor once said to us in Ondo that , our members do not pay taxes
Meanwhile, street sellers paid 50 naira daily, imagine its accruement each week , each month and yearly? So, our members stay in bush work, believe no one monitors”
” I will enjoin every member to be ready to pay his official dues to both the association and government which will colour the official reckoning of our great , Association “, he added.
Meanwhile, the association has called on the government to give due support to the association, integrate teaching of bricklaying in its educational curricular planning as to become competitive as engineering courses beginning from educational lower classes in the country.
The Association rounded off its general meeting with fund raising as to enable proper mobilisation of the Association, while efforts at extending membership to other states in the country remains a priority.
The Association unanimously agreed to hold another executive meeting in Ondo State on 23rd of December.
