By SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN— ACTIVITIES were grounded at the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City, yesterday, when workers of the hospital and members of the host community, embarked on a peaceful protest, rejecting the purported appointment of Dr. Osasu Olotu, as the new Chief Medical Director, CMD, of the hospital by the Federal Government.

The workers also commenced three days warning strike, accusing the Federal Government of alleged failure to follow due process in the appointment of a new CMD.

Placard carrying youths and elders of Uselu, led by the Uko N’Ibiwe of Benin Kingdom, Chief Edoba Isibor, and the Aiwerioba of Eguae-Iyoba Uselu, Chief Ighagbon Igbinoba, rejected the appointment of Olotu, and expressed their preference for the Acting Medical Director, Dr. Charles Ikeji, whom they said had employed  members of the host community, which according to them, did not happen in the past.

They explained that the acting management had already established a peaceful relationship with them compared to the previous administration, which they accused of having a hand in the purported appointment of Olotu.