By Francis Sadhere

The Nigerian Welders Association has warned oil and gas companies to be informed and avoid dealing with the past executive committee of the association led by Comrade Pius Itama, maintaining that any company that deals with him does so at its own risk.

This warning was given following the association’s decision to appoint a nine man Caretaker Committee to run its affairs following failure by the immediate past president to yield to election of a new leadership in line with the body’s constitution at expiration of his executive committee in June 10.

This development was the major resolution reached at the association’s special delegates conference held June 11 at its Zone D Lagos Secretariat with Kaduna, Delta, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa and Oyo zones also in attendance.

In resolutions signed and made available to our correspodent yesterday in Warri by Comrade Joseph Idjai, Chairman, Delta Zone who presided, the welders’ conference held that, “The National Executive Council assumed office 11 June 2013 and their tenure expired 10 February 2016 as provided in Rule 12 Section 4 of the association’s constitution.

“In line with this rule, motion to dissolve the National Executive Committee led by Pius Itama was moved by Sunday Akura of Ondo Zone and seconded by Suraju Adekola (Oyo), and the congress unanimously adopted the motion and the National Council formally dissolved.”

The resolutions further accused Itama of fermenting disunity in the body when he unilaterally declared three co-executives of the national body expelled in violation of the constitution of the body.

“Itama single handedly expelled 3 of his cabinet members, his vice, Secretary General and Auditor in total disrespect of Rule 14 Section 10. His administration mortgaged the association to a consultant without formally constituting a delegate conference as required by Rule 6.

“Consequently a nine man caretaker committee has been put in place according the association’s constitution. We urge oil and gas companies to be informed and avoid dealing with the past executive committee.”, the conference further resolved.