Motorists plying Urubi, Iyaro routes leading to the Benin Lagos axis on Monday experienced delays as protesters from Ekiadolor College in Edo State blocked the road at both sides.
The protesters had earlier blocked the entrance gate to the ministry of Education while demanding explanations from the commissioner of Education, Barr Jimoh Jegbai on why they have not been paid salaries for 12 months.
The protesters were a coalition of unions in the college.
According to the coalition chairman, Mr Fred Omonuwa, the continuous denial of the true state of things concerning the institution was becoming worrisome.
‘The government is owing us 12 months salaries, If he wasn’t owing, he would have since sacked everyone, and the world knows he is owing. The implication of this is that he wants to keep our workers including the pensioners perpetually on the street. We are very much aware that his plan to finally sack the staff of the college and that is why he has kept quiet and refused to answer us in such a time of civil protest.
‘There are documents to show that he is owing, most of his appointees are liars. It is left for him or the government of the day to pay us our salaries. We will remain on the streets until our demands are met. The Edo State government is owing us 12 months salaries. If he claims he has redeployed the staff, where did he redeploy them to and where is the evidence.
‘The commissioner came to the office today, immediately he saw us, he ran away through the back door/gate. We were told he has left meaning he left through the back door. We will remain here.
A protester, Osemudiamen Elvis Ogbidi, said the Governor keeps saying he is not owing these staff. ‘The governor has continued to be insensitive to the plight of these workers. If as a governor who receives salaries due to his office, he should pay them their money.
On his part, Comr Ken Omoruyi, Chairman Senior staff union college of education Ekiadolor said ”how can a governor of a state continue to claim that we are being sponsored, elderly people like us with grey hair, we have worked for our money, Obaseki should pay us. Within the last two years we have gotten a new provost and a new bursar, so how can he say the school does not exist. The way forward is to pay us our money and we leave the streets.
