BENIN CITY - Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu has emphasized that the state government will not allow casualisation to flourish in the state, as it does not believe in slave labour.
He made the remark when the State Working Committee (SWC) of Edo State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by the state Chairman, Comrade Friday Obanor paid him a courtesy visit at Government House Benin City, yesterday.
Dr. Odubu noted that the state governor had on several occasions directed agencies of government to formalize the appointments of casuals in their establishments, and assured that the state Head of Service is currently working in that regard.
The deputy governor commended members and executive of NUJ, Edo State, for their positive contributions to the progress of the state, and pointed out that the state government does not believe is gagging the press, but in the freedom of expression.
He stressed that the state government has expressed that in words and in deeds.
Dr. Odudu assured that the state government is prepared to partner with the media and urged members of the union not to hesitate to seek clarification on issues that have to do with the state government from appropriate quarter.
Earlier, the Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Comrade Friday Obanor drew the attention of the deputy governor to the plight of casual staff in Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL). Publishers of OBSERVER titles and Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), and appealed to the state government to address the issue with a view to regularising their appointments, especially now that people are been recruited into the state civil service.
He similarly drew the attention of the deputy governor to the poor state of the state- owned media outfits (BNCL and EBS) in terms of machines/equipment, and stressed the need for the media houses to be retooled to enable them function effectively.
Comrade Obanor commended the state government for the on-going transformation of the state, especially in the area of infrastructure, noting that Edo State has never had it so good since its creation 19 years ago, and sued for its sustenance.
He stated that since he came on board as the chairman of NUJ in Edo State about a year ago, his administration has been able to key into the transformation agenda of the Comrade Governor, adding that Edo State NUJ within its limited resources, has been able to transform the NUJ Secretariat, Benin City, to an enviable state and promised to do more.
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