Warri: The Staff of Ndokwa ethnic Nationality in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC had been assured of the management good intentions towards the warfare of staff of the commission.
This assurance was giving on Saturday 14 January, 2017, in a meeting between the representatives of Ndokwa nation on the board of the commission and the Executives of the Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality Staff Association to discuss at the ethnic nationality level, the crises of allowances which had resulted in the indefinite shutting down of the commission by the management.
Addressing the staff on their demands, which are the 2016 end of year bonus, otherwise known as the 13th month, the 2016 leave allowances, staff promotion and remittances of the deductions from Salaries of the National Pension Scheme, the Executive Director Social Services Development, Hon Ochor Chris Ochor, told the staff that while the management is making all efforts to pay the 2016 leave allowances, the hindrances militating against staff promotion and the Staff Pension Scheme implementation are been solved.
He told the staff that the deductions from staff salaries for the Pension Scheme are safe, as issues that had being holding the remittance is been resolved between Asaba and the commission.
Speaking on the vexed issue of the 2016 End of Year Bonus, the Executive Director appealed to the staff to consider the economic recession facing the country, which had resulted in low crude oil production, and fall in revenues accruing to the Delta state. He told them that as the situation stands, the commission cannot pay the end of year bonus due to high shortfall of revenue. However, Hon Ochor had tasked them to educate the Ndokwa sons and Daughters working with the commission, on the need to understand with the management and the state government.
While the staff representatives thanked the management for initiating the meeting, they called for better communication between the management and staff, as it will create a cordial working environment.
Those that attendant the meeting are the Commissioner representing Ndokwa nation on the board, Mr Nnamdi Ezechi, the entire Executives of the Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality Staff Association, and the board of Trustee of the association.
One of the commissioners, Mr. Fidelis Opute was not present as he was reported to be engage in other official assignment.
Similar meetings were held between the executives of other ethnic nationalities associations and their board members.
