Posted by From UJA EMMANUEL, MAKURDI on
Makurdi, Benue State capital is in confusion, following the sacking of over 100 staff of a three-star hotel by security agents...
Makurdi, Benue State capital is in confusion, following the sacking of over 100 staff of a three-star hotel by security agents suspected to have came from Abuja.
The hotel was under the management of NICON Hotel, Abuja, until it was taken over by Transcorp company recently.
Three months after Transcorp took over, the staff were kept in the dark as to their future in the establishment.
The workers' hope for a better deal was dashed one hot afternoon, when security men stormed the hotel located along Aliade to seal up the premises.
Daily Sun investigation revealed that staff of the hotel, which was one of the best in Makurdi, were being owed six months salary.
On what might have led to the closure of the company, an administrative staff of the hotel, Comrade Tor Akume told Daily Sun that the new management of the hotel, (Transcorp) was not happy with the Makurdi branch management because it felt that the hotel should have continued to operate and offer services to customers just like the case of NICON-NOGA, Abuja, where services were going on, even after it had been bought over by Transcorp. Comrade Akume accused the Makurdi branch management of mismanagement, which he said led to the sacking of the staff and closure of the hotel.
When Daily Sun visited the hotel, the sacked workers, numbering over 30 were seen hanging around the premises. They however vowed that except the salaries owed them were paid, they would frustrate any attempt by anybody to reopen or operate the hotel. To show their seriousness, they have erected a barricade at the main entrance into the hotel and made themselves a home in the open space.