By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
Ethnic nationalities in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission(DESOPADEC) have dismissed accusations leveled against the Board by Delta State Chapter of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE.
Presidents of the ethnic nationalities in DESOPADEC who debunked the accusations and absolved the Board of wrong doings in Warri in a Statement signed by the six presidents of the ethnic Nationalities in the Commission, warned the Chairman of AUPCTRE in Delta State to stop blackmailing the Commission Board led by Olorogun John Nani, Chairman and Chief Festus Ochonogor, Managing Director.
Speaking, the ethnic Nationalities debunked the allegations raised by the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE.
President of Association of Itsekiri Staff in DESOPADEC, Mr Akatakpo Gbesimi, who spoke, said that the chairman of the Delta State Chapter of AUPCTRE, Mr. Lawrence Otueroro, was seeking cheap popularity through blackmail of the DESOPADEC Board.
Mr. Akatakpo said the Board of DESOPADEC has commenced payment of the new minimum wage for Staff of the Commission since November 2024 alongside October arrears.
He explained that the present Board of DESOPADEC is workers friendly, adding that the Board has given promotions to workers with payment of six months’ arrears.
He disclosed that the present Board of DESOPADEC upgraded the Sick Bay facilities to cater more for the health needs of workers as well as foot bills of workers with terminal health issues.
President of Isoko ethnic nationality in DESOPADEC, Mr Peter Ejemite, said Mr Otueroro and his co-travellers are parading outdated stories of outstanding 30 per cent payment of workers’ salaries, saying that that agitation has been overtaken by the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Speaking on the payment of end of year bonus as promised by the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Mr Ejemite asserted that the Board is awaiting the Governor’s approval.
The Presidents of the Ethnic Nationalities of DESOPADEC Staff noted that Mr Otueroro is not a Staff of DESOPADEC, so his claims contradict the realities in the interventionist agency noting that the Board is gradually attending to the needs of workers..
Other Presidents of ethnic Nationalities in the Commission present includes Olorogun Felix Ogboru, Urhobo, Mr Nzeshi Boniface Ossia, Ndokwa, Engr. Felix Oyazimo, Ijaw and Mr. Brown Isioma, Ika.