Presidents of ethnic nationalities in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, have dismissed accusations levied against the board of the oil commission by the Delta State Chapter of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE.
Presidents of ethnic nationalities in DESOPADEC who debunked the accusations and absolved the board of wrongdoing at a press briefing warned the Chairman of AUPCTRE in Delta State to stop blackmailing the DESOPADEC Board led by Olorogun John Nani as Chairman and Chief Festus Ochonogor as Managing Director.
Speaking at a Press briefing in Warri, the six Presidents of Staff of Ethnic nationalities in DESOPADEC debunked the allegations raised and published in national dailies 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, 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 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.
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of Isoko ethnic nationality in DESOPADEC, Mr Peter Ejemite, said Mr Otueroro and his co-travellers are parading outdated stories of outstanding 30 per cent payment of workers’ salaries, saying that agitation has been overtaken by the implementation of the new minimum wage.
On payment of end of year bonus as promised by the Governor, 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 agency, noting that the Board is gradually attending to the needs of workers.
