By KUNLE KALEJAYE
The refusal of the streets cleaners employed by Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State to return to their work place after a threat to lay them off from work has led to filth taking over markets and streets in the council area.
Already the workers have raised alarm over the plan by the council to lay them off without paying them the arrears of four months salaries owed.
However, the council said that the allegation was unfounded, adding that its intention was to lay off some of the cleaners employed by the council on humanitarian ground and those that were old from continuing with the work.
Speaking through the council's Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Taiwo Ologun, the council maintained that they have their own cleaners who are on the payroll of the government and were employed by the state government to serve in the local government.
The affected cleaners who adopted a sit-at-home method to protest the planned sack, said they did not deliberately shun their work place but this was due to the indifference of the council to their plight.
Already residents of the area have raised alarm over fear of outbreak of epidemic due to heaps of refuse and debris that litter major streets in the local government area. Those who spoke with Vanguard Metro complained that the refuse collectors have refused to turn up for their duty for sometime now.
Officials of the council are, however, trying to douse the tension arising from heaps of refuse taking over the streets and public incinerators.
A council official who spoke with VM anonymously said that he was aware that some cleaners who were hired by the council chairman were sacked last December, adding that the council is owning them only a month salary.
Vanguard Nigeria