"This is the second time in the last three days that the protesting workers of the state-owned news organization are being harassed and intimidated by the police based on false accusations", a source told sharpedgenews.com. According to one of our sources: it appears Governor Mimiko has been finally hood winked to act along and accept the falsehood scripted entirely by Ladi Akeredolu – Ale".
A police team allegedly broke into the station on Friday and invited key members of the workers' union for questioning. Further investigations by shapedgenews.com revealed that their arrest may be connected with what a source said was the "bodily harm" netted out to a staff in the course of Thursday's "scuffle" by protesting workers. The workers denied ever having a violent demonstration.
Sharpedgenews.com learnt that Governor Mimiko may have decided to brush aside the genuine grievances of the workers whom he allegedly said went beyond acceptable limit by demanding the sack of Akeredolu-Ale, considered an outsider. The governor is said to be sticking with the embattled Director General because he felt there was the need to put a person with adequate exposure in charge of the affairs of the corporation which the administration purportedly feels has a bloated work force.
A source preferring anonymity told sharpedgenews that Governor Olusegun Mimiko feels that some of the demands of the workers constitute "an affront". Below are the demands:
- "The state of our 96.5 FM station is deplorable
(a) "The transmitter is pumping less than five percent
(b) "Studios equipment and infrastructure are nothing to write home about. Nothing has been done to add value to the station since 2009.
- "Our Television station is standing on one leg due to old age.
- "TV studios – our TV studios are in sorry state
- "TV audio and editing suites have finally collapsed with the station now voicing through the use of ENG cameras.
- "The training and retraining packages for staff have permanently been put on hold with no explanation to staff.
- "Worst still the Civil Service Allowance approved for every worker by Governor Olusegun Mimiko has been removed from OSRC salary since January.
- "Other challenges border on lack of functional operational vehicles for the Corporation. We used to have numerous vehicles in the past, which enhanced our news coverage and programming around the state, but now we are battling with rickety vehicle brought over decade.
- "Wardrobe allowance for staff appearing on TV programme and newscasters still remain at N2000 since 2004 not minding today's economic realities.
- "The traditional Christmas and New Year palliatives is no longer forthcoming.
- "Financial assistance which was once a policy by the station to support members of staff who may be getting married or those who may be burying their dead parents have been scrapped.
- "Special loan instituted for staff who may run into financial difficulties have been cancelled.
- "Dear colleague, which is a motivational End-of-the-Year-Thank-You-Package from the management running over the years has been suspended for the past two years.
"Inspite of our yearly internally generated revenue profile of above Eighty Million Naira our welfare means nothing irrespective of the fact that the present administration is paying our salary as and when due, buying diesel for our generators since 2009 because the station has not been connected to PHCN since same year".
"WE ARE SUFFERING IN SILENCE"
However, the protesting workers said that Governor Mimiko, whom they consider their own person, would be acting in a disappointing way if there is a rush to judgement on his part, instead of first investigating the immense size and veracity of the allegations starked against Ladi.
Permanent workers of the corporation said that they are not owed any salary arrears. They, however, want freelance workers to be paid their deserved wages outstanding for the last two months. The workers alleged that had the management of OSRC under Ladi Akeredolu-Ale being more prudent, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of about Eighty Million Naira (N80m) in 2013 alone would see to the welfare of the employees whom they alleged are being engaged like "slaves".
Close associates of the Governor like Mr. Soji Bello, have waded into the dispute. The D.G. is said to have drawn an enemy list of "fifty" expected to be fired. A source close to Governor Mimiko said the D.G. lacks such powers.
As at press time, members of the board of the corporation led by the chairman, Mr. Kayode Ajulo came to the premises because of the news of the arrests. Ajulo, an attorney at law appealed for calm, pending the time the police would make known the holding charge. The National Vice President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Rotimi Obamuwagun, and the state chairman of NUJ, Mr. Owanikin came with Mr. Ajulo. The workers told the team that the woman allegedly assaulted on Thursday was never touched by anyone. Identified as the Secretary to the Director General, Mrs. Adedapo Salami, the workers said was merely asked to step out of the office so that her principal would not gain access. Mrs. Salami's name appears as number eighteen on the list of those who attended Wednesday's congress.
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