Peace has returned to the Abia State chapter of the National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) following the intervention of the Commissioner for Industry, Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh.

The NASSI in Abia has been in limbo following a protracted leadership tussle. It was alleged that the out-going executive refused to conduct elections and handover to a new executive, prompting aggrieved members to conduct the election and inaugurate a new executive.

Peeved by the action, the out-going executive declared the election illegal and unconstitutional and refused to hand-over the union's property in their care.

Given the importance of NASSI to the present administration's economic development thrust, the Commissioner, last Wednesday brokered a truce between the feuding parties, during which the out-going executing relinquished power.

During the peace meeting in his office in Umuahia, Ikoh charged NASSI in Abia forget their misunderstanding and work as a team, stressing that the drive for economic development of Abia through industrialisation would be jeopardised if the group was not united.

Impressed with the successful handover ceremony during the reconciliation meeting, the Commissioner extolled the union leaders for towing the path of peace and enjoined them to do away with selfish interests.

He assured that the remaining vacancies in the new NASSI executive would be harmonised to accommodate members of the immediate past executive and enjoined the new union leaders to always consult their predecessors to ensure peace in the fold.

NASSI President, Mr. Ezekiel Essien, represented by his Special Adviser, Chukwuma Ogbonna, commended the Commissioner for his efforts in ensuring that peace reigned in Abia NASSI while charging the association to work in unity so as to sustain the ssnew found peace brokered by Ikoh.

In his remarks, chairman of the former executive, Sir Humphrey Nweze commended the Commissioner for resolving the NASSI dispute and advised his successor to stick to the principles of equity and justice as enshrined in the NASSI constitution to enable his executive to make the association formidable and viable.

The new chairman, Ezechukwu A.O, expressed gratitude to his predecessor who is a pioneer member of the association for his dogged efforts to keep the union afloat and for embracing peace despite all odds.

Ezechukwu promised to run an open-door administration and appealed for the support and cooperation of members.

Highlight of the reconciliation meeting was the official handover of the affairs of Abia NASSI by the Humphrey Nweze-led executive to the new Ezechukwu administration.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology, Sir Nathan Harbor and the Director of Industry, Sir O.C. Nwankpa, witness the meeting.

•Photo shows Henry Ikoh.

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