Da’ar Communications Plc, the owner of African Independent Television and Raypower radio network has denied reports that it sacked the entire staff of its Benin stations as punitive action for their demands for arrear of salaries owed them by the organization.
The broadcasting outfit described the report as a misrepresentation of facts in a statement issued by its management on Tuesday.
The organization said only 13 out of the 40 operational staff of the two Daar Communications Benin outfits- RayPower 105.5FM and African Independent Television, AIT, Channels 29UHF were relieved of their jobs. It also described as untrue the claims that the two broadcasting stations have been shut down.
The statement by the DAAR Communications management partly reads: “We wish to correct this misrepresentation of facts and state emphatically that: “Management critically appraised the operations of both stations in Benin most especially as it refers to manpower capacity utilization, dedication to duty, productivity level and found some wanting and far below expectation.
“Their conduct was found to be inimical to the attainment of the lofty ideals of the organization.
“Their professionalism and competence was not at par with that of their colleagues and it was adversely affecting the over-all productivity and the expected capacity of both stations.
“For the benefit of our various stakeholders, out of a total of 40 operational staff strength, only 13 were laid off.
“For the sake of our most esteemed Clients, Advertisers and our audiences, both Ray Power 105.5FM and African Independent Television, AIT, Channels 29UHF were never off-air and are still fully operational/on-air.
“At no time since the organizational audit process did any of the stations shut down/off-air.
“In conclusion, we wish to state that the issue of financial obligations to our staff is receiving Management’s utmost as we ensure payment of salaries as funds are generated in spite of inclement economic situation in the country.
“We are committed to the welfare of our staff and promise to discharge this responsibility dutifully and diligently.”