Scores of workers of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission on Monday blocked the main gate to the state Government House in Owerri in protest against the non-payment of their salaries.
The workers displayed 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.
They accused the Managing Director of the commission, Andrew Nwoketubo, of allegedly paying lip service to their welfare.
The workers, who caused temporary gridlock on the road leading to the Government House, prevented vehicular movements in and out of the governor’s lodge.
They called for an end to what they described as “impunity in ISOPADC.”
The ISOPADC union Chairman, Sunny Nwabuo, demanded the immediate payment of their August and September salaries.
Nwabuo, who accused the government of being insensitive, said a great harm had been done to their farmlands because of oil explorations in the two oil producing local government areas in the state.
The union leader 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 Public Relations Officer of the commission, Promise Eke, confirmed the protest to our correspondent on the telephone.
He, however, declined to make further comment.
