From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
Staff of Benue State owned radio station on Monday staged a peaceful protest to demand the full implementation of the new minimum wage.
This is even as they lamented over epileptic power supply due to breakdown of the station’s generator.
The protest was held at the Radio Benue corporate headquarters located along old Otukpo road, Makurdi.
Speaking on WhatsApp call with our correspondent, a staff who pleaded anonymity said since the implementation of the minimum wage in 2025, they were paid in November, adding that the staff noticed a huge deduction amounting to as much as 72,000 naira on their salaries.
According to him, several complaints in form of memos were written to the Head of Service office to this effect but no action was taken to reverse it.
Said he, “It was at Armed Forces Remembrance Day Interdenominational service held at the Deeper Life Church that the chairman of the chapel, Paul Mandeun intimated Governor Hyacinth Alia of these issues and pleaded passionately with him to act.
“The Governor outrightly denied any knowledge of deduction and directed the Accountant-General and the Head of Service Agbogbo Ode to look into the issue and address it within one week. This has not be done and so, we decided to embark on this protest.
“We are also demanding for new transmitter and installation of solar panels to enable the station broadcast activities of the Governor and the state effectively”.
He said the Commissioner for Information Dr Peter Egbodo addressed them assuring that he will liaise with the Head of Service and ensure that the issues are resolved.
