ASSBIFI unveils multi-million naira edifice
The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) on Thursday joined other trade unions making a difference in the movement when it unveiled a multi million naira hotel and event centre in Alausa, Ikeja area of Lagos State.
Some handful of unions, like National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), have hotels and other businesses running profitably. This is an innovation and ingenuity to save the unions as economic indices continued to impact negatively on the their finances.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige who was represented by the State Controller, Lagos State, Mr. Nnamdi Enuah said it is not just a misery, but a paradox that an association would be able to carry out such a huge project.
He commended the association for not been in the news for a bad purpose as many members of staff of some unions had petitioned the Ministry of Labour for non payment of their salaries and entitlement.
President of ASSBIFI, Oyinkan Olasanoye said the construction of the Suites and Events Centre started over a decade ago with levies and union dues of members in 2012, and they never borrowed or indebted to any persons or banks.
According to her, at a time the Lagos government came to take over the project on the premise of abandoned project and about fifty million was used to reposition the building to conform with the state standard. The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors were also invited to supervise the direct labour engaged for the project.
She said, “Today we are not just commissioning an edifice, we are witnessing what determination, prudence, commitment and unity of purpose can produce”
“We have relied solely on Members union dues, and levies which we pay once in every three years. Whatever sum we realized was prudently invested in the building. In fact, this project was carried out by direct labour under the supervision of a Project Committee.”
She stated that the Suites and Events Centre has been designed to include accommodation, spa, boardrooms, conference halls and relaxation place for stakeholders, adding that when fully operational, it is envisaged that it will create direct and indirect employment opportunity for over fifty Nigerians.
She noted that the union have always believed that the future belongs to the hopeful, as hope is the vehicle that drives success.
Olasanoye reiterated that in monetary terms, the association will still need over three hundred million Naira (N300, 000,000.00) to complete and put the centre to commercial use, while calling on individuals and stakeholders to support in any capacity they could.
“As we take a tour of the project, it may appeal to you to choose any aspect of the project to complete the construction or chose to furnish some of the rooms,” she said.
