Radio Benue Staff Protest Salary Deductions

Staff of Radio Benue on Monday staged a peaceful protest at the station’s corporate headquarters along Old Otukpo Road in Makurdi, demanding full implementation of the new minimum wage and an end to what they described as unjustified salary deductions.

The workers also decried the station’s epileptic power supply following the breakdown of its generator, a situation they said has crippled effective broadcasting.

A staff member who spoke with journalists in Makurdi on condition of anonymity noted that although the new minimum wage took effect in 2025, workers were only paid in November, when they noticed deductions of up to N72,000 from their salaries.

The affected staff said that several memos were forwarded to the Office of the Head of Service over the deductions, but no corrective action was taken.

He said the issue was later brought to the attention of Governor Hyacinth Alia during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day interdenominational service at Deeper Life Church, where the chapel chairman, Paul Mandeun, appealed to the governor to intervene.

“The governor denied any knowledge of the deductions and directed the Accountant-General and the Head of Service, Agbogbo Ode, to investigate and resolve the matter within one week. That directive has not been implemented, which informed our decision to protest,” he said.

The protesting workers also demanded the provision of a new transmitter and the installation of solar panels to enhance the station’s capacity to effectively broadcast government activities.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Peter Egbodo, while addressing the protesters, assured them that he would liaise with the Head of Service to ensure that their grievances are resolved.