Joint Trade Unions in Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation, have appealed to the State Government to provide AKBC with a Permanent building to enhance smooth operations.
The appeal is part of a 14-point communique issued at the joint congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ; Radio, Television and Threatre Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU and the Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processing and Allied Staff, which took place yesterday at the AKBC Corporate Headquarters, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
The Joint Trade Unions said provisions should be made for the construction of AKBC Permanent Building in the 2021 budget, so that the actual construction could start by March, next year.
The unions also called for provision of operational vehicles for AKBC to replace those burnt by hoodlums during the recent ENDSARS protest.
The unions noted that the operation of AKBC in a rented property for thirty-three years, does not befit the status of the Corporation as the mouth piece of Akwa Ibom State Government.
The unions stated that the provision of a permanent structure for the Corporation has become urgent with the setting ablaze of one of the buildings that house the Corporate Headquarters of AKBC, noting that damaged structure poses danger to life of staff and visitors to the place
The unions frowned at the encroachment of AKBC land at the Corporation’s Transmitting Station in Ntak Inyang and called on the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel to direct the State Surveyor-General to retrace the government’s land.
They called for payment of backlog of stipends owed Permanent Artistes as well as outstanding wardrobe and voice allowances and non-accident bonus to staff.
The Congress urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to provide adequate broadcast equipment and facilities to enhance quality programmes production as well as deploy security personnel to secure lives and property in AKBC.
The Trade Unions made a case for Government to offer employment to Permanent Artistes, some of whom, have served the Corporation for more than fifteen years, with irregular stipends.
The unions urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to reconstitute AKBC Board and provide training opportunities for staff in line with global best practices.
The unions set up a five-man committee to review the current condition of service for staff of AKBC, which they noted was obsolete.
The Joint Trade Unions expressed gratitude to Governor Udom Emmanuel for the financial support to AKBC, which has helped the management in giving the radio and TV studios facelifts.
The communique is signed by the Chairman of the Joint Trade Unions, Comrade Mfon Uyeh, the Secretary, Comrade Godwin Antigha, the Chairman of the Communique Drafting Committee, Comrade Godwin Eduok, the Secretary, Comrade Harrison Essien and a member of the Committee, Comrade Akaninyene Ukpong.
