General News of Monday, 13 March 2006

Source: The Heritage

Lokko to storm GBC today

Workers of the country?s premier broadcaster, GBC are preparing to block the embattled director general, Eva Lokko from entering the corporation?s premises as she intends to unilaterally cut short her accumulated three-year leave and return to duty today, Monday March 13, 2006.

According to the Heritage and corroboration from the GBC Union Chairman, Louis Darko, Ms Lokko has vowed to return to duty today in defiance of the leave of absence slapped on here by management pending the outcome of investigations of financial sleaze that occurred at the company under her stewardship.

According to Mr Darko per her agreement with the Board and NMC, she is entitled to 42 working days leave per annum and with her accumulated three years leave; she was supposed to spend 126 days instead of the 90 days that she has spent so far.

He reiterated the concerns of the workers that ? we don?t want her back here. If she comes, her safety cannot be guaranteed,?

Mr Darko therefore advised her to stay clear of the premises of GBC for her own safety.

Asked whether the workers have the right to question her coming back, he said since they are stakeholders in the affairs of the corporation, ?we have every right to question her coming back, after all she took the workers too to court,?

He said the GBC boss should allow the courts to dispense with the case before trying to come back to her office.

?For now, we don?t know her and we would resist anyone who tries to let her comeback,? he said.

She has spent 90 days from a total of 126 of the leave of absence imposed on her by the board of director of the GBC and the National Media Commission (NMC).

A visit by the Heritage to the premises of GBC at the weekend saw hoisted red flags at vantage points within the premises.