- Workers of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission staged a protest over their unpaid salaries on Monday, October 15
- They prevented vehicular movements in and out of the governor’s lodge; thereby causing temporary gridlock
- The union chairman of the commission further lamented over deductions from the salaries of various groups of workers
The main gate leading to the Imo state Government House in Owerri was on Monday, October 15, blocked by scores of workers of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, in protest over unpaid salaries.
The aggrieved workers carried placards with inscriptions depicting their grievances, including the non-payment of their two-months salary arrears, deductions in the payment of their July salaries and other alleged unfriendly treatment, Punch reports.
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NAIJ.com gathers that the protesters, who called for an end to what they described as “impunity in ISOPADC”, prevented vehicular movements in and out of the governor’s lodge; thereby causing temporary gridlock on the road leading to the Government House.
They accused the commission’s managing director, Andrew Nwoketubo, of allegedly paying lip service to their welfare.
The union chairman of ISOPADC, Sunny Nwabuo, demanded the immediate payment of their August and September salaries.
He said oil exploration in the two oil-producing local government areas in the state had caused a great harm to their farmlands; and accused the government of insensitivity.
He said: “While N21,000 was deducted from the salaries of drivers in the month of July, N15,000 was deducted from senior staff of ISOPADC and N24,000 was deducted from the salaries of workers in the accounts department.
“This is at variance with labour laws. The union will make sure that things are done according to the laid down rules.”
The protest was reportedly confirmed by the public relations officer of the commission, Promise Eke, who, however, declined to comment further.
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Recall that NAIJ.com previously reported that Imo state workers, on Tuesday, May 1, trooped out during the 2018 May Day celebrations with protests and complaints over their conditions, at Heroes Square in Owerri.
The workers said their protest would continue until the government decides to pay them 100% of their salaries. The complaints of the workers cut across salary arrears, pension arrears and other poor conditions of service.
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Source: Naija.ng