African Road Maintenance Funds Association has appointed a new president following the expiry of Lusaka’s BENEDICT TEMBO two-year term.
National Road Fund Agency chief executive officer Anthony Mwanaumo handed over the presidency to Ethiopian Road Fund manager Rashid Mohammed who was voted unopposed during the annual generating meeting that took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) capital city.
Joining Mr Mohammed in the new executive are Mr Siandou Fofana, the director-general of the Ivory Coast as first vice-president who replaces Fulgeny Bamaros Lobota of the DRC and Atanga Bikote, the chief executive officer of the Cameroon Road Fund as second vice-president.
Until their election Mr Mohammed was focal group chairperson for East Africa, Mr Siandou was the focal group chairperson for West Africa.
Julius Juma from Zimbabwe who is chairperson of the Southern African focal group was elected auditor, taking over from Franklin Awuku of Ghana.
In his handover speech, Dr Mwanaumo was happy that ARMA members had successfully ushered in a new executive by following rules and regulations which bind the member countries together.
He also expressed happiness with resolve by member countries to continue with the agenda of uplifting and sharing information for the well-being of the continent.
Dr Mwanaumo said by accepting to increase affiliation fees in the 2016 budget, the annual general meeting had shown its willingness to establish a secretariat in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the appointment of secretary-general and an executive assistant.
The ARMFA hopes that once established, the ARMFA permanent secretariat would serve as a solid operation base for the association and its affiliation to the AU as a specialised agency would be a useful platform for networking with developmental partnerships on the continent.
Currently, Crispin Chilikwela, an employee of the NRFA serves as the secretariat staff.
Dr Mwanaumo said the ARMFA permanent secretariat will also open more opportunities.
He said the five resolutions passed by the general assembly represent the aspirations and strategic direction of the ARMFA members.
ARMFA is a non-profit making and non-political grouping of 34-member road funds in Africa
