Ondo workers will resist planned demolition of staff quarters – NLC

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Ondo State has vowed to resist the planned demolition of staff quarters in Alagbaka, Akure, by the state government.

The state Chairman of NLC, Ademola Olapade, made this known during the inauguration of the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, on Wednesday in Akure.

It was reported that Leke Adegbite and Meshack Olaoluwa were re-elected unopposed as the chairman and secretary of the council, respectively.

The NLC chairman said that the move to demolish the staff quarters for urban renewal projects would cause friction between the state government and the organised labour.

He noted that that there was no prior meeting and conversation between the labour unions and the state government to discuss the modalities for the demolition of the Alagbaka staff quarters.

“Government must do everything to leave our members in the quarters. The place should not be demolished because our members live there.

“We are talking of over 156 units with over 600 people living there. So, government cannot just ask them to leave in a jiffy, giving them a week, a month, but must come up with something better.

“Organised Labour in Ondo State will resist any move by the state government to make the occupants of Alagbaka staff quarters homeless,” he stated.

He urged the new NUJ executive in the state to continue to protect the interest of its members and be a voice for the voiceless.

Responding, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said that the policy of the government to go into regeneration of the entire Government Reservation Area (GRA) was for the beatification of the state capital.

“The Alagbaka staff quarters is an estate of 40 years ago that must be renovated. The renovation started with the government house last year, so it is not new and it is important.

“What the government is doing is to give a new look to the state capital starting with Alagbaka Area, the seat of power.

“We cannot leave the area with such dilapidated structures for years. As a matter of fact, some of the occupants of the place could not even maintain them.

“From observation, 70 per cent of the occupants are not even supposed be there because the place is meant for low salary earners,” he said.

Adeniyan promised that the affected occupants would be compensated for relocation by the state government.

He urged the organised labour to engage the government for proper understanding instead of resisting the move.

Adeniyan, while congratulating the new chairman of NUJ and other executive members in the state, appreciated the “robust relationship” between the state government and the leadership of the union.

In his acceptance speech, Adegbite appreciated God and union members for the opportunity given to him to serve.

He promised that there would be consolidation on the achievements of the leadership council, especially in the area of capacity building for members.