Ethnic Nationality Affirms DESOPADEC Commitment to Workers Welfare
By Odeya Ogbetuo
The Presidents of Ethnic Nationality of DESOPADEC, comprising Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko and Ndokwa have affirmed that the Commission has been implementing all the welfare packages for their staff.
In a media chat on Monday, the Presidents of the Ethnic Nationality which include Mr. Akatakpo Gbesimi(Itsekiri), Olorogun Felix Ogboru(Urbobo), Engineer Felix Oyazimo(Ijaw), Nzesi Boniface Osssi( Ndokwa), Mr. Peter Ejemite(Isoko) and Mr Isioma Brown stated that the Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Almagamated Union of Public, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees ( AUPCTRE),Mr Otueroro and his people are fully aware that the present Board of DESOPADEC has started payment of new minimum wage for staff of the Commission since November 2024 and October arrears also paid together with that of November salary.
According to them, Mr Otueroro is an interloper by seeking relevance by saying that, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should prevail on Board of DESOPADEC to pay outstanding 30 percent of salary of staff, adding that the issues raised by AUPCTRE have been addressed by DESOPADEC led by Olorogun John Nani as Chairman and Chief Festus Ochonogor as Managing Director and therefore asked him to verify facts before going to the press.
” We, ethnic Presidents of DESOPADEC through interface with the Board, noted that the new minimum wage as approved by the Governor and the Board has since started payment. People should go and do their findings if staff have not started receiving the new minimum wage.”
The Presidents of the Ethnic Nationality, said the present Board of DESOPADEC is worker friendly ,adding that the Board has given promotion to workers with six months arrears.
According to them, the Staff of
DESOPADEC are happy as they received leave allowances at the beginning of January, 2025 through the effective implementation of the reviewed implementation of conditions of service.
On the issue of payment of end of year bonus as promised by Governor Oborevwori, the Presidents asserted that the Board is awaiting the Governor’s approval as they can’t do without his approval.
According to them, that it is amusing that Mr Lawrence Otueroro who is not a staff of the Commission is accusing the Board of not caring about the welfare of Staff which is a contradiction to the reality on ground.
According to the Presidents of Ethnic Nationality, the Board has improved the working conditions of the Staff, saying that the Board has upgraded the sick bay facility in the Commission where health needs of the workers are addressed and the Health Insurance Scheme (HIS) wherein a father, mother and four kids would be attended to.
According to the body, consultation are on between ethnic Presidents and the Board which its approval is being awaited shortly. The Presidents of Ethnic Nationality said this Board attended promptly to the needs of staff diagnosed with terminal diseases/ illness with huge financial support.
The five Presidents stated that the Board of DESOPADEC deserved commendation for always listening to the requests of the staff and implementing agreed issues, though in phases.
According to them, it is noteworthy that this Board has reinstated staff who were unduly laid off and their arrears paid just as they said, staff, due for upgrade have been attended to.
They noted:”The same Board that Mr Otueroro is vilifying has agreed to the requests of the Ethnic Presidents for appointments of your Deputy Heads of Departments and Divisional Heads
before the end of first quarter of 2025.
The Presidents of the Ethnic nationality in DESOPADEC said AUPCTRE is just on a cheap blackmail mission against the Board and therefore warned AUPCTRE to steer clear of the activities of the Commission, adding that Mr Otueroro can not unionize the agency through the backdoor. According to them, Olorogun Nani led Board is gradually implementing all the campaign promises of Governor Oborevwori to Staff of DESOPADEC, hence all disruptive elements such as AUPCTRE should be put aside.
