Enugu: Radio Nigeria Workers Shut Down Station Over Poor Management

Workers of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Enugu zonal station on Friday shut down the station as part of protest over poor management of the station.

The peaceful protest was organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radio Nigeria, Enugu Chapter and the Radio and Television and Theatre Arts Workers’ Union, RATTAWU.

The aggrieved workers appealed to the Director General of FRCN, Dr Mansul Leman, to redeem the image of the state, stressing that all the official vehicles of deputy directors, including operational ones are grounded.

Addressing the crowd, the chairman of NUJ at the station, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, said that the workers are made to work in an unconducive environment.

"It is regrettable to note that the only functional vehicle in the entire station was the Toyota Corolla car currently being used by the Zonal Director.

"Therefore, any attempt to auction it portends doom for the station and the zone.

"This however, has compelled the Deputy Directors to rely on public transport while reporters, producers and marketers have been abandoned to their fate.

"The union expresses unhappiness with the difficulties faced by staff in the discharge of their duties as a result of non-availability/faulty/poor maintenance of work stations, and called on the management to address the plight of the staff.

"The union urges the management to install security solar-powered lights at the broadcasting house/transmitting station to prevent constant vandalisation of FRCN infrastructure.

"The union also appeals for reversal of the current arrangement of shutting down transmission by 9 pm and re-opening it at 6am. This policy has portrayed the station in bad light, and relegated it from its leading role in the South East to a pariah broadcast station."

The Deputy Director Administration of FRCN, Enugu National Station, Innocent Egwuagu commended the workers for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves.

He assured them that the management is working hard to restore the image of Enugu National station to its height.