Radio Bayelsa Fire: Workers Unions want GM to step down for investigation

SOME OFFICE FUNITURE SALVAGED BY STAFF DURING A FIRE INCIDENT AT RADIO BAYELSA,, EKEKI, YENAGOA ON JULY  2, 2019

Staff of Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation on Friday urged the state government to compel the General Manager (GM) to step down to pave way for investigation of a fire incident at the station.

An early morning infernor gutted the FM station, Glory FM destroying broadcast equipment while staff on duty escaped unhurt.

Dr John Idumange, GM of the radio station had in a reaction after the fire incident attributed the fire incident to sabotage by some staff.

The workers unions, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria RATTAWU condemned the statement as hasty while investigation was underway.

 In a statement released by both Unions, the comments and position taken by the GM would jeopardize the ongoing investigations by a committee set up by government.

The Statement was signed by Messrs Kingsley Abidde, Radi and Otiti Pius, Radio Bayelsa Chapter Chairmen of NUJ and RATTAWU respectively.

They urged the GM to exercise restraint, and urged the government to include union representatives in the panel.

“To this end, the Joint Union is calling on the government to persuade the GM to step aside to enable the panel of inquiry judiciously carry out its investigation into the cause of the fire without the influence of the GM.

“The General Manager should also be advised to desist from making unguided public utterances to overheat the already tensed environment, as it is prejudice and premature to talk about sabotage at this stage.

“At this statge when an investigative panel is already set up by government to ascertain the remote and immediate cause(s) of the inferno, such comments amount to prejudice.

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“We also use this medium to call on government to ensure that Union representatives are part of the panel for objectivity and fairness in line with internationally accepted best practice.

“The unions wish to encourage members to remain calm as investigation by the panel of inquiry is expected to resume work.

“We further appeal to government to match words with action in their promise to put in place a temporary studio and other equipment to bring the station back on air.

“The Unions sympathize with members of the State Government over the unfortunate Fire incident that occurred on Tuesday July 2, 2019.

“We express gratitude to the State Commissioner  of  Information Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson for his prompt response during the ugly incident and the State Fire Service for containing the Inferno and salvaging the transmitter” The Unions state.