Abia: ASOPADEC workers kick over retrenchments, non-payment of minimum wage

Staff members at the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) are expressing frustration over the arbitrary dismissal of employees and the state government’s failure to pay the approved minimum wage of N70,000.

Tensions are rising following the dismissal of 112 staff members without compensation, alongside the non-implementation of the minimum wage for October salaries.

One employee disclosed to Realm News that “General Manager, Venerable Dr Joshua Onyike, introduced biometric attendance, which reduced the staff count from 600 to 488 as part of the retrenchment process.”

According to him, the GM said in a recent meeting that the only way to receive the N70,000 minimum wage, approved by the federal government, was through an increase in the commission’s derivation funding.

“I cannot pay the minimum wage for now until ASOPADEC’s monthly allocation rises to between 35% and 50%. I would prioritise project funding over salary payments,” he quoted the GM to have said.

The staff also reported that employees on different wage levels received significantly lower October salaries.

“Level 2 received N32,000, Level 4 Step 1 received N33,000, Level 8 received N55,000, and Level 9 received N60,000.”

Another staff member also lamented their lack of hope for receiving the minimum wage, as the GM stated he would only pay in arrears if his appeal to Governor Otti is granted.

Investigations by Realm News revealed that Abia State’s monthly 13% derivation averaged about N500 million before May 29, 2023. However, following the removal of fuel subsidies by President Tinubu’s administration, this amount increased to over N800 million.

ASOPADEC was established by former Governor Theodore Orji as an agency designed to provide social amenities primarily to oil-producing communities and a few other local government areas. The state government is expected to allocate 30% of the 13% derivation to ASOPADEC for projects and salaries.

Despite the increase in derivation funding, the GM reportedly terminated the employment of individuals hired around November 2022.

“He ceased their salaries as soon as he took office, leading many to resign out of frustration,” he said.

Efforts to speak with the GM proved unsuccessful as he refused to take calls.