Land Valuation Board delegates conference open

Accra (Greater Accra), 30th June 99 -

A three-day divisional delegates conference of the Trades Union of the Land Valuation Board opened in Accra on Tuesday with a call on Parliament to enact appropriate legislation that will set the framework for the existence and operations of the board.

Mr Kwesi Adu-Amankwah, Deputy Secretary-General in charge of operations of Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the union is concerned about the inability of Parliament to pass the necessary law to make the board to stand on its own.

He appealed to the sector ministry to take measures for the enactment of the legislation.

The conference is aimed at reviewing the performances of the divisional union, draw up programmes of activity to cover the next fours year, elect new divisional union officers and adopt resolutions to help enhance the future of the board.

Mr Adu-Amankwa stressed the need to conduct reviews regularly in order not to be left behind in the developmental processes.

"Change occurs at a tremendously fast pace and if we do not want to be left behind we need to conduct our reviews regularly."

He said it has come to their notice that even though the union has concluded a collective agreement for the staff of the board, management is not implementing the provisions of the agreement.

"We would like to stress that both the divisional and national unions have the responsibility of mounting pressure on management to perform its duties."

Mr Adu-Amankwah re-affirmed the TUC's commitment to collective bargaining in both the private and public sectors and cautioned authorities of the public sector against disregard for collective bargaining rights in their determination to implement the Price Waterhouse policy.

Mr A.T.D. Okine, Acting General Secretary of Public Services Workers Union, said although the board will face stiff competition from the private sector to capture the valuation market, it should market itself properly to withstand the competition.

The board, he said, must also motivate staff to ensure their maximum performance and productivity and avoid losing them to the private sector.

Mr Okine appealed to the sector minister to liaise with the Ministry of Finance to pay the 17 months' arrears of workers of the Urban III Project.

He said demand for the payment of the arrears covering the period of August 1997 to December 1998 is bringing friction between management, union and those who worked on the project.

"If nothing is done about this, it will undermine future urban projects to be embarked upon."

Mr E.D.Nuotuo, Executive Secretary of Land Valuation Board, in a speech read on his behalf, said certain policies have been initiated to iron out anomalies in order not to repeat previous mistakes.

He said the main basis of promotion would be on merit, ability, performance and seniority, adding that opportunity would be given to all staff to reach the highest grades.