By Madiba Singhateh
The staff of the University of Applied Science and Engineering and Technology (USET) has convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the USET Cooperative Credit Union.
The meeting, held on Friday, 16 May, aimed to review the financial statements and achievements of the Union spanning 2021 to 2023, a period interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed previous meetings, according to the Union’s Secretary General.
The USET Cooperative Credit Union currently boasts over 200 members from the university’s staff, and it has served as a platform to address pressing issues such as access to loans, wages, and allowances. At the heart of the meeting was a focus on strengthening the financial resilience of its members through cooperative efforts.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde, commended the importance of being part of a credit union. She shared personal reflections on how credit unions have been pivotal in her life, particularly in enabling her and her husband to purchase land and homes, emphasising the real-life impact such institutions have on civil servants.
“Joining a cooperative union is a good initiative. Without such unions, it would be difficult for many to build a house, buy a car, or even pay school fees,” Professor Surajudeen-Bakinde remarked. Drawing parallels with her experience in Nigeria, she noted, “We don’t send our children to public primary and secondary schools because we lack confidence in them. So, to give our children a sound education, which is an investment in their future, we must be part of cooperative unions.”
She lauded the efforts of the USET Credit Union leadership, stating, “When the Union executive came to me, I told them they have all my support. When you have a Credit Union that meets the aspirations of its members, they will be happy to deliver at their workplaces.”
The Vice Chancellor also praised the union for securing plots of land for some members and reiterated her commitment to staff welfare: “Your welfare matters to me. That is why I am here. If you’re not part of the union, it is difficult to achieve some things in life.”
Abdul Allen Bangura, the Secretary General of the Cooperative Union, emphasised the importance of the AGM as a platform for members to assess progress, make necessary changes, and enhance transparency. “This meeting is important and mandatory as it allows us to review our progress and engage meaningfully with our members,” he said.
He stated that the USET Cooperative Union is a legally recognised body with guiding bylaws, and accountability to members is paramount. He also highlighted the Union’s recent digital transformation from manual systems, improving efficiency and accessibility.
Bangura informed members that the Union is currently exploring the option of joining the Gambia Teachers’ Union Cooperative Credit Union (GTUCCU), noting that larger credit unions typically offer more benefits, including access to bigger loans. “Joining a Credit Union with more members has advantages. From what I’ve seen, most of our members are in favour of joining GTUCCU, which caters to teachers nationwide and has broader benefits,” he explained.
He concluded by stating that the current executive will remain in place until further notice as consultations continue.
