By Uzoma Ogoke
The Managing Director, Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (ISOPADEC), Chief Charles Orie, has called on the striking workers of the commission to return to their offices and resume work, while he negociates with the state government on issues raised in their protest.
Addressing the workers who barricaded entrance of the commission’s headquarters, the Managing Director told them that though all the problems they enumarated as their grievances didn’t happen under his management, he will do everything within his powers to bring solution to the problems.
According to a press release signed by the Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the M.D, he appealed to the striking workers to give him time to discuss the issues with Governor Hope Uzodinma, who he said has the interest of Imo people, including ISOPADEC workers at heart, saying he was optimistic that the governor will do the needful at the appropriate time.
“The MD/CEO advised the striking workers to resume their duties and be patient with the government as he has no doubt in his mind that all the issues they raised shall be addressed and settled very soon”.
However, according to the press release, the M.D also warned the striking workers that if they refuse to resume their duties, the commission will be forced to apply the common rules of ‘No Work, No Pay’.
Reacting to the M.D’s request, leader of the ISOPADEC workers union, Comrade Chinedu Awuzie, appreciated the M.D for the mature manner he has been handling issues of ISOPADEC workers’ welfare since his appointment and resumption of duty.
He however insisted that workers will only resume duty when their demands for payment of their April and May salaries and arrears of 80 percent cut from their salaries since the inception of the present administration are paid.
He pleaded with the M.D to use his good office to ensure payment of the workers’ April and May 2020 salaries and also to ensure that salaries of ISOPADEC workers are removed from the Imo State civil service salary structure. He affirmed that none of the contentious issues happened under the M.D’s watch.
