From Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
On Tuesday, in Ekiti, angry sweepers took to the streets in protest against what they described as government’s insensitive stance to their welfare.
Baring their fangs, they accused the government parastatal saddled with taking care of their remuneration of engaging in dishonest deals.
The protesters, about two hundred in number, sang solidarity songs with placards that showed several inscriptions bearing their agitations.
The women who wore very sad looks, stormed the office of the wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi in Fajuyi where they raised the alarm of “Save Our Souls”.
Explaining their plights to newsmen, the women accused that the sole administrator employed to manage the Ekiti State Waste Management Board, Mr Adebayo Kelekun, of treating like slaves.
According to them, the administrator has been paying them the sum of five thousand naira as against the ten thousand naira pronounced by government.
The sweepers further explained that the five thousand naira is not enough to cater for their transportation let alone feed them as well as meet other pressing needs.
They also claimed that they have been responsible for the personal provision of all necessary materials utilized for the discharge of the sweeping services adding that government had failed to give them kits that could prevent them from contracting diseases.
The women alleged that out of the five thousand naira, some officials of the board often deduct some amount on the excuse of absenteeism.
Addressing the protesters, the wife of the governor Erelu Bisi Fayemi sympathized with the women and promised to discuss the issue with the governor for immediate action.
At his office, the SA on Waste Management Mr Adebayo Kelekun pleaded with the women and promised to also reach out to the governor on the matter.