Felix Koney Okpoti elected RMU Staff Representative

An Assistant Lecturer, Marine Electrical and Electronics Department of the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Mr Felix Koney Okpoti has been elected at the Staff Representative on the Board of Governors of the university.

Mr Okpoti after a keenly contested elections on Friday, May 10 secured 76 votes out of the 175 total votes cast to become the newly elected Staff Representative.

His closest contender, Head, of Business Development Office Ms Benedict Sika Attipoe had 59 votes while Deputy Registrar, Academic Dr Stephen Afenyo Dehlor recorded 40 votes to clinch the third position.

The Staff Representative would serve as the link between colleagues and the Board of Governors, seeking their interest and ensuring their concerns were addressed.

Mr Okpoti’s message throughout the period centered on impartiality, service, unified front and accountability.

He promised to ensure among other things, quarterly fuel rate adjustment for staff, use governmental or private investment to build houses for staff, lobby for the execution of the Korean Project to provide a decent environment for RMU, discount in school fees for staff wards and completion of Administration Office block and Auditorium Complex.

Mr Okpoti also pledged a structured budget allocation for contract staff, a clear-cut policy on the conversion of contract staff to permanent, and a percentage increment in salaries on an annual basis or when the rate is revised.

For the Administrative Staff, he promised a structured career path and promotional criteria as well as address inconsistencies in positions and their corresponding remuneration.

The process was supervised by the Registrar, Dr Baboucarr Njie who congratulated the winner and all contestants for their efforts.

“This is a victory for the RMU and I wish to congratulate everyone for showing up for this noble exercise,” he stated.

He added that it was a peaceful contest since all participants were working towards the interest of the university.

“Processes such as elections would come and go but the RMU would remain so let us continue to work together for the good of the university,” he said.