The Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief John Nani has disclosed that the Commission is set to roll out an economic support programme for women and youths in the oil-bearing communities.
Nani made this known, Wednesday, when speaking to journalists after a meeting with Board Members of DESOPADEC at the Commission’s Headquarters in Warri, Delta State.
He stated that the economic support programme aims to empower 50 women from each of the ethnic nationalities in the commission, by providing them with a grant of 100,000 Naira each to expand their businesses.
He further disclosed that, as a result of the rising inflation and prevailing economic challenges, the Board resolved to increase the grant for the next phase of DESOPADEC Skills Academy, (DSA) beneficiaries from 200,000 thousand Naira to 500,000 in addition to their various business start-up packs.
“The DSA programme is to train and empower our Skills Academy Students but now, we understand that there are a lot of youths who are trained and have no means of empowering themselves. Hence, after the process of rigorous interview and careful selection, the Board is set to empower them with start-up packs and grants to establish their business,” he said.
He stated that the women economic support programme would commence simultaneously with DSA in two weeks after consultation with the Governor.
Chief Festus Ochonogor, the Managing Director/CEO, in his response to the issues of the new minimum wage, staff conditions of service, and the 2024 promotion exercise, stated that the Board has approved the implementation of the new minimum wage and the Commission will start payment of the new minimum wage from November with arrears.
“We have also granted approval for the implementation of the 2024 promotion exercise. The merit list shall be posted by next week. Regarding the Conditions of Service, the Committee has completed their work, however, they are yet to submit their report to the Board for ratification,’’ he said.
Chief Ochonogor stated that, regarding the lingering Court case between the Staff Union and the Commission, they are being resolved. Stating that almost all the demands have been met except for that of the payment of the end of year bonus to staff, for which approval is being sought from the State Governor.
He promised that the Board would bring the issue to the attention of the Governor, as the Staff Union had pointed out that the Governor had pledged, during his campaign, to look into the issue of the 13th month salary.
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