Aggrieved workers in the service of the Ondo State Oil Producing Development Commission (OSOPADEC) on Tuesday shut down the office of the state’s accountant general to demand for the payment of their benefits.
The workers led by the state Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations and Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Mr. Oyesanmi Ilesanmi, protested over the refusal of the state government to pay their October, November and December salaries.
Armed with placards bearing different inscriptions, the protesting workers accused the state’s Accountant General, Mr. Laolu Akindolire, of withholding their three- month salaries despite its approval by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Among the inscriptions on placards displayed by the protesting workers include “Obey Arakunrin directive,” “Arakunrin, Save OSOPADEC from AG,” “OSOPADEC is not an appendage of AG’s office,” “AG release our money now,” “Laolu misrepresenting Aketi’s administration,” “Laolu Akindolire enemy of development” and “Laolu proceed on leave now.”
They alleged that the state government had been using funds meant to pay their salaries to offset the backlogs of arrears of civil servants in the state. According to the workers, the state’s accountant general was responsible for the delay in the payment of their salaries.
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On arriving at the accountant general’s office, the protesting workers were initially informed that the accountant general was absent, but when the protest became too intense, the accountant general, who had been holing up in his office, came out to address the angry workers.
His appearance was greeted with unprintable words and chants, which lasted for about 10 minutes before the leaders of the workers could prevail on them to calm down and listen to what the accountant general had to say.
Addressing the protesters, Mr. Akindolire admitted as claimed by the workers that the salaries had been approved for payment by the governor. He explained that though the payment of the salaries had been approved, there was no cash backing; therefore, his office could not pay their salaries.
According to him, “approval for salaries, vouchers are all inside here, but there’s no cash backing. You can only pay if there is cash backing. The commissioner finance is there; he can confirm this.”
When he attempted to explain how the government pay workers deductions, the protesting workers were infuriated and the accountant general out of anger went back into his office.
The workers attempted to force their way into the office, but were prevented from that line of action by their leaders prevailed on them to shelve the plan.
Ilesanmi said: “We have got approval for the payment of the October salaries from the governor close to two months now and no payment has been made.
“We have written letters to the accountant general and nothing has been done and there was no reason or explanation as to why the salaries have not been paid.
“We issued a 7-day ultimatum, then 3-day ultimatum, which lapsed on Friday last week, but they didn’t respond. Salaries of OSOPADEC workers are paid from the 30 per cent derivation accruing to the commission.
“The accountant general said there’s no cash backing, so we don’t who’s not telling the truth. We are occupying the premises every day until our salaries are paid,” he said.
