Scoop: DBS Warri faces shutdown over diversion of RATTAWU Check-Off Dues, Board’s failure to procure essential operational facilities

Delta State Broadcasting Service, DBS, Warri, faces shutdown over allegation by the branch members of the Radio and Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union, RATTAWU that their monthly check-off dues, were being diverted from the Accountant-General office, Asaba to an unknown account.

This is on heels of a joint 14-day ultimatum handed down to the General Manager of the station by the local branches of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ and RATTAWU, threatening to embark on strike action, following perceived failure of the Board of Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri to procure and install essential operational facilities for the Delta State government owned media.

Fresh Angle International, understands that the Delta State Chairman of RATTAWU, Comrade Charles Enegide, had allegedly vowed to stop the monthly check- off dues of the Warri chapter of the Union, following issues which he purportedly refused to resolve.

Comrade Charles Enegide

It was gathered that Comrade Enegide, earlier suspended the Comrade Anna Ikpen led administration for not remitting check-off dues for a month, but some stakeholders intervened and the money was remitted, with a claim that Comrade Anna Ikpen apologized for the delay, which was caused by internal issues in the union.

A Source, disclosed that representative of the stakeholders visited the state chairman at Asaba and appealed for lifting of the suspension, since the executive had remitted the dues meant for the state and the National, but Comrade Enegide purportedly refused and set up a Caretaker Committee, which the congress rejected.

This Flagship Niger Delta Online Newspaper, gathered that the stakeholders had written to the National body of the Union to intervene, but the National leadership was yet to respond as at the time of this report, even as it was alleged that the National President of RATTAWU and the Delta State Chairman, are close friends.

The members of the Union, reportedly vowed that if their check-off dues are not returned, they will embark on protest.

Meanwhile, the 14-day ultimatum given to the General Manager of Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri, was consequent upon the failure of the Elegbete Moses Odibo led DBS Warri Board of Directors, to procure and install essential operational facilities.

The ultimatum, which was dated April 24, 2025 and signed by the Chairman of NUJ, DBS, Warri Chapel, Comrade John Glover and the Acting Chairman, RATTAWU, DBS Warri Chapter, Comrade Emeke Nwaiku, demanded the payment of Christmas bonus, relocation of typing pool, fixing of Air conditioners in offices, repair of the FM (Melody FM) playback machine, replacing of microphones in MCR/Radio Studios, repair of utility vehicles and lighting of the station’s premises.

The two unions, noted: “Management has also not bought the black magic pro as agreed, procure video camera to Delta State House of Assembly, not fixed the reception Television, toilets and tracking machines as well as damaged roof in Account and Administrative blocks.”

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