The management of Enyimba Radio and TV Limited, have debunked stories that their new permanent site is a hotel. This is against the backdrop of a press release by Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity that the site is a hotel.
In a press conference on Saturday on the company’s temporary premises, the Manager of Enyimba FM, Mr Michael Oni urged the Governor to investigate the matter and help to resolve the impasse. He formally clarified that the building in contention is not a hotel but the permanent site for the three radio stations; Enyimba FM, Legend FM and Rose FM, including Enyimba TV and their production studios.
“We have a building that is under construction. That building belongs to Enyimba TV and Radio Limited. Of course that building started before the fire incident because the facility that got burnt was meant to be our temporary site, although with the state-of-the-art equipment.”
“Within the limited time that we were confined to, we were able to manage the space knowing that as we grow, we were also going to have a permanent site which was what gave birth to the new site, the permanent site which was under construction until the unfortunate incident, which actually sped up the construction of that new building.”
On Wednesday, the company raised the alarm that officials of the Aba North Town Planning Authority had invaded their station and arrested some members of staff, which raised eyebrows. Mr Oni gave a chronicle of what happened on the day.
“The facility was sealed by agents of the Aba Abia State Government, through the Aba North Town Planning Authority and the Greater Aba Development Authority. We followed up. But one thing to note here is that anytime they come around during this construction phase, they come with brutal force, with a retinue of officers, comprising a Joint Task Force (JTF) and it results to assault, molestation and harassment of the workers at the site, despite the willingness of Enyimba Radio and TV Limited to obey all the extant laws guiding building and construction in the state. Anytime we sort issues out, they come back again with some other issues.
The last one which broke the carmel’s back happened this week. On Wednesday to be precise when they came with brute force as usual to seal the facility, claiming that we have not followed all the extant laws put in place and obeyed all the laws and pay our fees, which we have done.”
He said that as a law abiding organization, they have a responsibility to show an example to other organizations and to individuals in Abia. He related how the security operatives apprehended two members of staff, a story which was corroborated by the Station Manager of Legend FM, Spike Awa.
“I was told that two members of our staff had been apprehended by these operatives. I stepped out of the gate to speak with one of the operatives who told me that one of us filmed them while they were outside the other building which is under construction and that the only way they would release two of our staff members was if we got the video and deleted them. We looked at it and it is not against the law, we have the right to film these incidents; it is not against the law.”
The incident has been an issue with public attention. On Friday night, during the Governor’s monthly press briefing, the Governor said he does not have all the facts of the matter. This comes after the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma said in a press release that the building in contention was a hotel.
Mr Oni said the company’s aim is to correct the misrepresentation and members of the public will see the building and also judge if it’s a hotel.
“They will also see how much damage the company incurred through the fire incident and how we are also trying to stand on our feet. It has not been easy in anyway and we hope that our fundamental rights will not be infringed on because we are only trying to do our job, hoping that this will be resolved amicably.
On November 2, 2024, the company’s five studios; Enyimba FM, Legend FM, Rose FM, the Enyimba TV studio, production room, and the engineering room were raised, with millions of state-of-the-art equipment burnt beyond redemption. The next day, Dr Alex Otti and his wife, Mrs Priscilla Otti arrived the scene to condole the company.
Alluding to the Governor’s visit, the station manager appealed to the Governor to intervene in the matter.
“There are breadwinners working with this organization, the little we can beg the Government is to support us being one of those contributing to the development of Abia State through job creation. 24 hours after the fire incident, the Governor paid us a visit and promised to support the organization. We are using this medium to call on him to look into this matter and check the details.”
He also said the company has presented their title deeds which is the registered power of attorney and have receipts for all payments made, which exceeds two million naira. On the issue of citing a three-story in the GRA, Mr Oni recalled that on November 2, 2024, the Governor was in the area to commission a four-storey new hotel. He also said that all efforts to reach the Director of the Greater Aba Development Authority, (GADA) Uche Ukeje proved unfruitful.
After the press conference, journalists were taken on a tour of the temporary new facilities after the former were raised by fire. On getting to the site, Igulafrica.com noticed that the building under construction has no lodging rooms but what looked like office spaces and a reception.