Edo Street Sweepers Protest N17,800 Monthly Salaries

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Hundreds of street sweepers in Edo State yesterday, took to the streets of Benin City, the state capital to protest their N17,800 monthly salaries.

The sweepers who were majorly women dressed in their overall jackets, brandished placards with different inscriptions, such as, “we are tired of N17,800 monthly payment,” increase our salaries,” among others.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, leader of the group, Madam Gloria Efosa, said they have been working with the N17,800 minimum wage increment effected by the Adams Oshiomhole’s administration, and that they had approached the General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr. Charles Imariagbe, but were told that they are not part of government workforce.

“Since, Obaseki became governor, we have been working with the minimum wage that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration increased. When we went to the General Manager of the Waste Management Board, Mr. Charles Imariagbe, he told us that we don’t have employment letters and that Obaseki said that he does not know us as his workers.

“But if they want to do anything, they will come and pack us to go do cleaning for them.

“On Saturday, July 1, after we have finished doing our job, they came, packed us to go and clean up dirts at New Benin Market. After they have used us to do the dirty job, we wanted to talk of the poor payment, but they did not allow us talk about it and that is why we are here.

“With the Nigerian economic situation, what will somebody buy with N17,800? If you have five children, how do you pay rent, school fees and feed with N17,800? That is why we are here, they even blocked us at Urhokpota Hall.

“A woman blocked us on the road and told us that if we protest to government house, we are going to lose our jobs. We are tired, that is why we are here.”

Efosa, added that one of their colleague was killed on duty on the 18th of April, 2023 and nothing was given to the family as at today.

“One of our colleague was crushed by a hit and run car, while on duty on the 18th of April. She was taken to UBTH mortuary, but they rejected the corpse, because she was badly crushed and nothing has been given to the family.”

In his reaction, Imariagbe, said the matter was before them and that they were considering increasing the street sweepers take home pay.