By Stephen John
Warri: The management of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has denied owing salary arrears of staff working with the commission. This is in the light of the present public outcry as a result of staff protest.
In a press released and signed by the Managing Director, Olorogun Williams Makinde, on Wednesday 11, January 2017, he stated that the commission has paid all staff salaries up to December, 2016 while the leave allowances for the same year is being processed and shall be paid shortly.
Drawing the attention of the general public on the happenings at the commission since Monday 9, January 2017, he stated that,
“We wish to draw the attention of the General Public, especially Hostcom, People of the Oil Producing Areas, and Government of Delta State that the management of DESOPADEC is aware of the current protest by staff of the commission over unpaid End of Year Bonuses, (13th Month).
The managing Director stated that there is already dialogue with the staff representatives, which had not yielded any result, but rather the situation had become tensed, and security threatened, and thus calls for indefinitely closure of the commission.
“Consequently, in order to prevent potential breakdown of law and order, damage to life and property, management is constrained to shutdown activities of the commission indefinitely”.
Meanwhile, Ndokwa Reporters can authoritatively confirm that the physically challenged who stripped himself naked on the second day of the protest at the commissions headquarters in Warri, is not a staff of the commission.
Our investigation discovered that the man decided to key into the protest to get the usual annual end of year gift which is always extended to the group.
Most persons spoken to by our correspondent condemned the action of the man, especially since the picture had gone viral, which they believe is putting the commission in a bad spotlight.
The Full Press Release as signed by the MD
PRESS RELEASE:
We wish to draw the attention of the General public especially ,Hostcom,People of the Oil producing areas, and the Government of Delta state that the management of DESOPADEC is aware of the current protest by Staff of the Commission over unpaid End of year bonuses (13th Month) and wish to state as follows:
A.
(1). That DESOPADEC has paid up all staff salaries up to December ,2016.
(2). That Leave allowances for the year 2016 ,is being processed and shall be paid shortly.
B.
(1).That the economic recession in the country more than anything else has grossly affected the Oil sector,Oil production and Derivation funds.
(2).That the General Public should note that there is a huge fall of oil production due to Pipeline bombing /Vandalisation and thus Production is Crippled in Delta State .
(3).That the Crippling of Oil Production In the State consequently affects the resources which accrues to DESOPADEC but Management remain committed to regular payment of salaries and allowances.
(4).Although management is already engaged in dialogue with staff Representatives ,the Staff had remained adamant ,had prevented access to DESOPADEC premises and Constituting Security risk.
(5).Consequently ,in order to prevent potential breakdown of law and order,damage to life and property, Management is Constrained to Shutdown activities of the Commission Indefinitely.
Signed:
Olorogun Williams Makinde PhD,FCA
Managing Director /CEO.
