Tempers flared when workers of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission locked up the secretariat located at Area H, New Owerri, over unpaid salaries.
Apart from the unpaid salaries, the enraged workers also protested against the slash in their salaries and vowed to ground the secretariat until their grievances were resolved.
Armed with placards with various inscriptions, the workers vowed not to return to work or allow anyone access into the secretariat until the government attended to their welfare.
The workers prevented the Managing Director of the commission, Chief Charles Orie, from gaining access into the secretariat.
The ISOPADEC union Chairman, Chinedu Awuzie, said the workers’ April and May 2020 salaries had not been paid.
He said the government and the corporation’s management had failed to consider their demands.
Awuzie stated, “The government unlawfully took over the payment of our salaries and slashed same to 20 per cent, which has subjected the workers to untold hardship, suffering and death.
“The law that established ISOPADEC did not make the workers part of the Imo civil service to the effect that ISOPADEC workers are not pensionable, and therefore the government’s decision to pay them is questionable.”
Responding, Orie said the problems enumerated by the workers predated his appointment as the commission’s boss.
He assured the protesters that their grievances would be addressed.
Orie asked the workers to return to work and be law-abiding, adding that Governor Hope Uzodimma would make them smile soon.