Wole Adedeji, Ilorin.
Related Posts
Workers of the Kwara State Printing and Publishing Corporation, publishers of. The Herald Newspapers, have protested over their rapid deteriorating working condition and non-payment of two months salary arrears by the Kwara State Government.
Dr. Muideen Akorede, the Senior Special Assistant to the. Governor on Media and Communication had for over four years combined his job with that of the Sole Administrator of the Government media organisations.
They include The Herald, Kwara Television and the two channels of Radio Kwara with a mandate to reposition the media outfits which unfortunately had allegedly turned worst under him.
The Herald which has three tabloids of daily and weekly publications had gone only one edition per week and at times outrihgtly off the news stand.
Tongues are wagging that millions of naira allegedly earmarked for the repositioning assignment had not brought out any result but rather, worsen the situation.
The workers turned out in large numbers last Thursday for a protest which they held within the premise of the Newspaper House with placards of different inscriptions to ventilate their grievances.
Their Spokesperson, Mr Ahmed Abdullateef said; “the main grievances which prompted us to this protest are poor working environment and discrepancies in salaries and allowances payable to members of staff.
“As we know it is a state owned media outfit. If we compare what the staff of Herald, especially those in Editorial and Production Departments take to what their fellows in electronic, Kwara Television (KWTV) and Radio Kwara earn, is not justifiable”
“We have been enduring this for a while with all necessary moves to government and those in charge of media houses to save our situation at Herald to no avail. Although they kept promising us that it would be solved soonest which instead, gets worse by day.
“Anytime it is sunny, Herald staff always go outside the office to take refuge under the tree because of the horrible conditions inside the offices.
“We were told that there is ongoing repositioning of media houses, and government had made fund available for it. But it has not manifested in reality.
“Skipping of production is another major challenge we are facing at Herald. Prior to now, we produced four times in a week but hardly we come out one time in a week now due to our conditions. We have not had it this bad before”.
In his reactions, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mallam Mohammed Ishak Sabi, appreciated the protesters for the honour done him and for not taking the protest beyond the premises of the organisation.
He also acknowledged the fact that the Staff were not finding life conducive in term of working conditions and remuneration.
According to him” Yes, media houses in the state are undergoing repositioning under this administration. But we must not shy away from the truth that many things are wrong with the working conditions and remuneration of herald staff.
“We can only appeal to you to shield your sword. By the grace Of God, I will seek appointment with his excellency, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed today and present all your challenges to him.
“I promise to relate back to you latest by tomorrow on what can be done as a matter of urgency to better your working conditions and address your grievances,” he said.
