The Oyo state government has started the demolition of the staff quarters of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, (BCOS).
insideoyo.com reliably gathered that a building which is part of the quarters has been demolished.
This is coming after public outcry from numerous organizations and individuals.
Recall that the Nigeria Union Of Journalists, Oyo State council advised the state governor, Seyi Makinde to again take another look and reconsidered his decision to demolish BCOS staff quarters.
The Chairman, NUJ, Oyo State council, Ademola Babalola gave this advice while featuring on Fresh FM daily morning programme “Situation Room” anchored by Isaac Brown.
He stated that the union had advised the state government that instead of total demolition of the quarters, renovation work can be initiated just like that of Lekan Salami Stadium and Agbowo Shopping complex but they said No.
Oyo state governent should take a second look at the issue and if they want to take over the premises, they should learn from history.
Com Babalola urged government to think of the future and desist from such act saying the union is not happy with it.
“Fifty Percent of the place should be reserved for BCOS staff and expansion in future, I pray and demand that the place becomes a training school for broadcaters in this country, that issue must be critically look at” he added.
http://twitter.com/insideoyo/status/1385277469591277571?s=19
Also, Some Labour unions in Oyo State on Tuesday kicked against the planned demolition of staff quarters at Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).
The unions are Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as well as Radio and Television Association of Workers Union (RATTAWU).
The BCOS staff quarters, which consisted 21 flats housing junior staffers and 25 chalets housing the senior workers, was constructed by the military administration of retired Brig.-Gen David Jemibewon.
The leaders of the various unions had joined the BCOS chapters of their unions in protest against the planned demolition which started as early as 7am on Tuesday.
The BCOS workers led by their union leaders, Abiodun Akinkunle of NUJ Chapel and Kola Carew of RATTAWU chapter had mobilised their colleagues to protest the planned demolition.
Mr Emmanuel Ogundiran, the State TUC Chairman and Mr Ademola Babalola, the State NUJ Chairman had led their members into two separate meetings to ensure the State Government has a rethink over the matter.
They held one of the meetings with Alhaji Bayo Titilola-Sodo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters and the second with the BCOS management led by its Executive Chairman, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Ogundiran appealed to the governor and BCOS management to consider future development as well as possible expansion of the corporation.
Earlier, the state government described the rumour of the demolition of the quarters as BCOS reacts as wicked rumour.
A oress release signed by the Chairman of BCOS read: “The Management of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) has reacted to a wicked and false rumour which trended on the social media stating that the State Government and a private developer planned to demolish the BCOS Staff Quarters on Sunday, the 18th of April.
“In Press Statement issued by the Executive Chairman of the Corporation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the BCOS Management said there was no iota of truth in the story.
“The Statement explained that the Management had consistently and extensively engaged residents of the of the sprawling and expansive Staff Quarters which has been rechristened, Engineer Lere Adigun Estate on the development plans for the Estate.
“The Management reiterated that the interests of the residents will be protected and accorded topmost priority in any development plan or scheme.
“The statement emphasised that there is absolutely no truth in the story the Quarters is to be demolished and residents forcefully ejected.
“It advised all the residents, the Corporation’s Labour Unions and all members of Staff to ignore this wicked and unsubstantiated rumour, adding that the Management will continue to engage the Labour Unions and the residents on the development plans for the proposed Engineer Lere Adigun Estate.”
