As the hardships of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country bites harder, the management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun state has asked its workers to go home until further notice.
The library built on an expansive land, was founded by former President Olusegun Obasanjo with various units such as hotel, event centres, zoo, cinema, bar, car wash, among others.
Blueprint gathered that the library has been struggling to pay its staff and the Coronavirus outbreak has further worsened the situation.
Apart from some top members of staff, those affected most by the lay off were: cleaners, security guards and other junior staff.
The management of the library in a letter signed by the Head of Human Resources, Administration and Procurement, Olanike Ogunleye, said the temporary cessation would be effective from Sunday, May 31.
The letter indicated that the affected workers’ would be recalled when business picks up, saying there are not eligible to any payment “during the period of cessation.”
The letter reads, “As you are aware, the current COVID-19 pandemic has had a toll on all our business significantly. This has resulted to making some difficult business decisions.
“Due to this situation, we regret to inform you that your employment will be put on hold till further notice.
“This temporary cessation is effective from 31st May, 2020 and until business picks up and you are recalled back to work, please note that you are not eligible for any payment during this period of cessation,” the statement partly reads.The management of the library in what was tagged, “temporary cessation.”
One of the workers at security unity who spoke to Blueprint, lamented the situation at the establishment, saying “we were owed up to four months salaries last year before it was cleared.”
He added that some other workers are owed between two to three months leave bonus.
When Blueprint visited the library on Saturday, it was business unusual as a grave silence pervaded the ever bubbling vicinity.
Contrary to what was obtainable in the past, only five security guards were seen at the two gates of OOPL alongside two supervisors on ground to secure the environment.
The Managing Director of OOPL, Vitalise Ortese told Blueprint that the decision was informed by the reality of the period, saying “we did not make single kobo since March.”
He described as mischief, report by a section of the online news platforms that the organisation “sacks its workers.”
“We didn’t not sack anybody. It was clearly stated there, temporary cessation. We have not made a kobo since March 16 or thereabout. No bailout and we didn’t get palliative from the government. How do we pay salaries? It’s normal we have to allow people go temporarily.
“It happens everywhere. Banks are laying off and other organisations have asked people to go home. Everyone is affected, including me. All members of staff are affected. Obasanjo’s children are affected, even Obasanjo himself is affected,” Ortese said.
