It was ugly scenario in Owerri, the Imo State capital yesterday when starving workers of multi million naira palm oil farm owned by Imo State called Adapalm took to the streets to protest non payment of several months of salaries and arrears.
The venue was Government House gate Owerri, where weird looking men clutching matchets and palm-tree climbing rope took over the premesis of the seat of power.
They complained that they were owed arrears of 18 months and 2 years annual leave.
Chairman of the union, Mr Jonny Nwokenna while speaking to newsmen said that they are not against leasing or concessing the palm plantation to Roche Company but want the investors to pay them the 18 months arrears. The aggrieved workers stated that Roche claimed it has given Government the sun of N3.2bn to offset their arrears as part of caring for asses and liabilities.
While Lamenting the non payment by Roche the workers added that they were entitled to severance allowances, and retirement benefits as some of them have died and others starving to death.
According to the workers, the leasing did not go through due process and the company and government have adopted indifference approach to their plight.” Since May 3rd 2012 they assured us of payment. Nothing happened till date. We want government to come and pay us or we drag Roche out and lock the gate “we want the general public to know our plight and request the Imo Assembly to renew the lease agreement and government to accommodate our right”, he added.
