The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated that the Vanguard’s claim that private security personnel stationed at the commission’s office in the states of Delta and Rivers were due six months’ worth of wage arrears is untrue.
Pius Ughakpoteni, the commission’s director of corporate affairs, told the Vanguard over the phone that the commission has since given their direct employers three months’ worth of back pay.
He stated that the fourth month’s salary had been processed and will shortly be reduced.
Ughakpoteni claimed that because the new management had handled problems in a prompt manner, protests in front of the commission were no longer in style.
He also suggested that if they had any questions about their salary, they should contact their individual employers.
He also issued the following statement on the subject, which is quoted in part as follows: “We wish to highlight that the Commission hires Security Companies that recruit and pay security guards to operate at our numerous offices to secure our premises. These service providers are not, as stated in the media reports, due money for six months.
As of August 22, 2023, the security firms for the states of Delta and Rivers that were referenced in the reports had been paid through July. Since the contract they signed with NDDC contains a stipulation stating that they must have the ability to pay its workforce for at least two months in the event of any financial difficulties, there is no reason for them to owe their employees arrears of salary.
“May we remind our fellow Niger Delta brothers that the threat to demonstrate outside the Commission’s offices is no longer credible because with the emergence of the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led management team, real stakeholders in the Niger delta area have embraced peaceful interactions.
We reiterate that the new Management’s main focus is on enforcing the principles of accountability and openness in all of its operations.