Staff at Benue State Radio Station Protest Over Salary Deductions
Some staff members of a state-owned radio station in Benue have staged a peaceful protest at the station’s headquarters along Old Otukpo Road in Makurdi. The protest was aimed at urging Governor Hyacinth Alia to take action regarding significant deductions from their salaries.
According to an anonymous staff member, the protest was a result of ongoing disagreements between the union and management. He explained that during an Armed Forces Remembrance Day Interdenominational service held at the Deeper Life Church, the chapel chairman, Paul Mandeun, brought up the issue with the governor. Mandeun reportedly pleaded with the governor to intervene and address the situation.
The staff member revealed that some employees had noticed deductions of up to N72,000 from their salaries since November of last year. He mentioned that several complaints were submitted through memos to the Head of Service office, but no action was taken to reverse the deductions.
In response, the governor denied having prior knowledge of the salary deductions. He directed the Accountant-General and Head of Service, Agbogbo Ode, to investigate the matter and resolve it within one week.
Mandeun also used the opportunity to request a new transmitter and the installation of solar panels for the station. This, he argued, would help the station broadcast state activities more effectively.
However, the management was reportedly upset that the chapel chairman raised these issues with the governor. They issued him a query, which led to the protest. The anonymous staff member emphasized that Mandeun’s actions were intended to benefit all the staff members.
Dr Peter Egbodo, the Commissioner for Information, confirmed the peaceful nature of the protest. He stated that he witnessed the protest while passing by and immediately went to the office. According to him, the staff members informed him that there was a minor misunderstanding between the union and management.
Egbodo advised the staff that such issues should have been brought to him directly as the head of the ministry. However, after addressing the situation, he noted that it had been brought under control.
Key Points from the Protest
- The protest was organized by staff members of a state-owned radio station in Benue.
- The main issue was the significant deductions from their salaries, which some staff members claimed were as high as N72,000.
- The chapel chairman, Paul Mandeun, raised the issue with the governor during an interdenominational service.
- The governor denied prior knowledge of the deductions and instructed officials to look into the matter.
- The management expressed dissatisfaction with the chapel chairman raising the issue with the governor.
- The Commissioner for Information confirmed the protest and addressed the concerns raised by the staff.
- The situation was resolved without any further escalation.
