Sylvester Idowu in Warri
The ethnic nationality presidents of Forum of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) have lauded the board of the interventionist agency for the implementation of new minimum wage to staff.
The Forum, which represents all the ethnic nationalities working in the commission, specifically lauded the DESOPADEC Board for paying N79,100 to the workforce as the new minimum wage “in tune with the MORE agenda of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration”.
“This gesture by the Board will go a long way to enable peaceful atmosphere to reign within the commission thus making the place conducive,” the Forum stated.
These were contained in a statement in Warri Tuesday by the six DESOPADEC ethnic nationality presidents.
The signatories to the statement were Mr. Akatakpo Gbesimi (Itsekiri); Mr. Felix Oyazimo (Ijaw); Chief Felix Ogboru (Urhobo); Mr. Peter Ejemite (Isoko); Mr. Nzesi Boniface Ossai (Ndokwa) and Mr. Isioma Brown (Ika).
While describing as “staff friendly” the present DESOPADEC Board led by its Chairman, Olorogun John Nani, and the Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor (Managing), the Forum noted with delight that “the Board, since its inception, has reviewed the conditions of service of DESOPADEC with leave allowance incorporated.
“Also, the Board has improved the working conditions of the staff by upgrading the sick bay facility in the Commission where health needs of the workers are being addressed and the Health Insurance Scheme (HIS) wherein a father, mother and four kids would be attended to in a reliable hospital,” the Forum disclosed.
The statement partly read: “The present Board of DESOPADEC has started payment of new minimum wage for staff of the Commission since November 2024 and October arrears paid along November salary.
“We ethnic presidents of DESOPADEC through interface with the Board, raised the need for the implementation of the new minimum wage as approved by the governor, and the Board gladly noted it and has since started payment.
“People should go and do their findings if the staff have not started receiving the new minimum wage.”
The Forum said further: “The present Board of DESOPADEC is worker friendly. The Board has given promotion to workers and six months arrears. The staff of DESOPADEC beamed with smiles as they received leave allowances at the beginning of January 2025 through the effective implementation of the reviewed conditions of service.
“On the issue of payment of end of year bonus as promised by the governor, the ethnic presidents asserted that the board is awaiting the governor’s approval as the Board cannot do without his approval.
“Also, the Board has improved the working conditions of the staff by upgrading the sick bay facility in the Commission where health needs of the workers are being addressed and the Health Insurance Scheme (HIS) wherein a father, mother and four kids would be attended to in a reliable hospital.
“Consultations are ongoing between the ethnic presidents and the Board which approval is been awaited shortly.
“It is pertinent to note that this Board attended promptly to the needs of staff diagnosed with terminal diseases/illness with huge financial support.”
The Forum maintained that “the present DESOPADEC Board deserved commendation for always listening to the requests of the staff and implementing agreed issues, though in phases.
“It is noteworthy to assert that this Board has reinstated staff who were unduly laid off and their arrears paid with staff also due for upgrade being attended to and verification ongoing”.
The statement warned against actions from any quarters that tantamounts to distracting the DESOPADEC Board, stressing that: “Nobody can unionize the agency through the backdoor.”
It specifically urged the state Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Mr. Lawrence Otueroro, to “verify his facts very well before commenting on affairs within DESOPADEC”.
