LBS workers want compound renovated

The president for the Liberia Broadcasting System or LBS Workers Union, G. Moses K. Dorbor, has launcheda SOS call to renovateinfrastructures of the state broadcaster.

“The last time assessment was done on the building, we were told that it will cost the Liberian government US$1.5 million, but we do not know how much it will be since the last assessment was done”, Mr. Dorbor told TheNewDawn Thursday, 28 April in Monrovia.

He said since the civil war, which led to the damage of the LBS compound, the dilapidated buildings there have not been renovated as they lie in ruins. “ELBC is a state broadcaster; tell me something; people leaving from other countries come and see the state owned-radio in such a condition,” Mr. Dorbor expressed in dissatisfaction.

The LBS Worker Union president indicated that it is embarrassing to see what is expected to be the country’s premium broadcast station, be in such a dilapidated condition. “We do not want President Sirleaf to leave office without touching this building; when this building is done, it will give the state radio its real name.”

Mr. Dorbordisclosed that lots recommendationshave been forwarded to President Sirleaf by successive director generals and board of directors of the entity, craving for her intervention to renovate facilities, particularly buildings at the entity, but they remain in the same condition.

He said the leadership of the workers union is planning a home coming program to invite people on the grounds of the station to strategize how to get government’s attention to have the entire compound refurbished.

Mr. Dorbor said a working committee has already been set up to prepare the home coming program, which will be forwarded to the LBS administration. “Some of the things which caused problem between the workers and the administration were salary disparity, lack of administrative guide.In the past, after one or two months or year, you will hear of problem at LBS, but we have succeeded in making sure that workers of the system and the administration are no longer at loggerhead with each other”, he pointed out.

Dorbor said since he took office as president of the workers four months ago, he and his co-workers have negotiated with the Central Bank of Liberia or CBL in securing a loan of seven-hundred thousand. “This money is given to workers at a very low interest rate and they have welcomed this process very well by appreciating us.”

By Ben P. Wesee-Editing by Jonathan Browne