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Group Threatens To Protest Non Reconstitution Of DESPODEC Board

Published

3 years ago

October 12, 2022

… Says Board Has Failed Woefully

… Wants FG Halt 13% Derivation To Delta Until…

Delta oil communities under the aegis of Delta Oil Producing Communities Advocacy Group, DOPAG, has threatened to protest the dismal performance of the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) as well as the refusal of the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, to reconstitute the board whose tenure has long expired.

A statement signed by the group’s interim chairman, Aphensus Dibi, its secretary, Claude Oghenekvwe, and the Publicity Secretary, Collins Layefa, a soft copy of which was made available to INFO DAILY, said the group would, in the coming days and weeks, stage protests at Asaba, the state calital, and in Abuja, lamenting that the unabating situation has created untold hardship due to neglect of the oil communities.

According to the group, the protests would be to get the Federal Government to halt the payment of the 13% derivation allocation to the Delta State Government until it does the needful regarding dissolving the overstaying board of DESOPADEC or disbandment of the Commission altogether, so as to allow payment of the derivation revenue to the communities directly.

The group accused the government of not giving the communities the state’s 13% Derivation Fund allocation in accordance with the law establishing DESOPADEC, just as its claimed DESOPADEC is being used to settle political loyalists to the detrinent of the oil communities as the beneficiaries of the governor’s political largess were not accountable.

The statement reads in part, “Government should pity the oil producing Communities and reconstitute the Board of DESOPADEC, since the tenure of the current Board has expired. Elongating the tenure of unperforming Board is a disservice to the hapless communities.

“The lack of accountability and transparency of the current Board is largely attributed to political patronage and interest groups. No reasonable people and society can develop with an unaccounted leadership.

“Today, all the Commission does is to pay salaries and receive their emoluments. Even that whose is due to the Communities has been withheld. This is a sad story!

“In the past, the oil companies that were our problem; today, we are the architect of our enslavement.

“Since the coming of this Board, there has been steady increase of oil price in the international market largely due to the Russian versus Ukraine war, and Delta State has been reported as being among states receiving highest due allocations from the Federation Account. These are facts. So, there is no excuse why the oil communities are suffering in the face of oil pollution, environmental degradation and all maladies of diseases currently ravaging the communities.

“A visitor to an average oil producing community in the state today would be shocked to see the level of decay of infrastructure, lack of basic amenities and government neglect, they lamented. There are no roads, not even even potable water. Yet, water is everywhere! We are suffering as people the Holy Bible described as “princes walking on foot”!

“Government is supposed to serve the people but the reverse is now the case. If this continues without the reconstitution of the Board, we will be left no option but to protest publicly and call on the Federal Government to stop further release of the 13% Derivation allocation to Delta State until this anomaly and the fraud associated with DESOPADEC is transparently investigated to instill probity, accountability and inspire confidence of the suffering communities.”

It added: “There is a law that made it mandatory to the state to remit 50% of the 13% Derivation Fund to the DESOPADEC board. That’s is the amount thatn is being pillaged and looted by the DESOPADEC Board headed by Bashorun Askia Ogieh, the governor’s helsman”, the group alleged.

Justifying its position, the group observed that the prevailing injustice and inexplicable neglect of the oil communities was bound to undermine the safety of oil facilities or guarantee seamless oil exploitation in these communities despite efforts by the government to beef up security around the facilities particularly in the Niger Delta.

The group said: “There is no amount of security network to allow the flow of oil in these communities with current injustice and deprivation of the people unabated.

“We will protest in the days and weeks to come, both in Asaba, the state capital, and in Abuja until the Board of DESOPADEC is reconstituted.

“We must never be silent in the face of yesterday’s poor men looting monies that belong to us all. DESOPADEC has lost its usefulness under the present Delta State Government. A commission that should be transforming and developing host communities has been reduced to a mere ministry for political compensation.”

Related Topics:#Delta State DESPODEC Okowa

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News

Fintiri Hikes Corps Members’ All

Published

7 hours ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has increased the monthly allowance of National Youth Service Corps members serving in the state from N20,000 to N30,000.

The governor made the announcement on Friday at the swearing-in ceremony for the 2025 Batch B Stream I corps members, held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Damare, Girei Local Government Area.

“As a government, we are committed to improving the welfare of corps members.

“This increment aligns with our promise to create a friendly and supportive atmosphere for you,” the governor stated.

Fintiri also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development and welfare, stating that the allowance hike complements ongoing support efforts such as regular food provision and other welfare initiatives.

Speaking further, he disclosed that plans were at an advanced stage for the construction of a new NYSC orientation camp in the state.

He directed the NYSC State Coordinator to involve corps members with relevant qualifications—such as architects, civil engineers, and quantity surveyors—in supervising the project.

Congratulating the new corps members, Fintiri welcomed them to Adamawa and assured them of government support.

He described them as vital partners in delivering key government policies, particularly in education.

“As bonafide citizens of Adamawa during your service year, you are expected to uphold discipline, engage in community development, and cultivate healthy interactions,” Fintiri stated.

He emphasised the importance of the orientation programme in preparing corps members for their national assignment.

The state Commissioner for Youths and NYSC Governing Board Chairman, Wali Yakubu, urged corps members to take the course seriously, follow camp rules, and embrace skill acquisition for post-service self-reliance.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Osoro Caroline, commended the corps members’ discipline and participation so far.

She said the orientation course was tailored to equip them for meaningful national contributions.

Osoro praised Fintiri’s consistent support, describing him as a “visionary leader and a beacon of youth empowerment in Nigeria.”

The event also featured the oath of allegiance administered by the Chief Judge of Adamawa, Justice Hapsat Abdurrahman, and a ceremonial presentation of the NYSC journal to the governor.

News

Fintiri Gifts Super Falcons Coach N50m, House For WAFCON Victory

Published

7 hours ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has gifted Super Falcons coach, Justin Madugu, a three-bedroom bungalow and N50 million for leading the national women’s football team to victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

According to a Facebook post by the governor’s aide, Pius Iliya, the presentation was made at the Government House in Yola, the state capital.

Madugu, an indigene of Adamawa, was hailed by Fintiri for his role in the Falcons’ triumph at the tournament, which took place in Morocco earlier this year.

“Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, on behalf of the Government and people of Adamawa State, has gifted Justine Pwanidi Madugu ( Coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons) a three-bedroom bungalow and a sum of N50m for leading the team into winning the 2024 Women African Cup of Nation that took place in Morocco this year,” the post read.

News

Policeman Rejects N800,000 Bribe To Free Robbery Suspect In A’Ibom

Published

7 hours ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

CSP Ebong Thompson

A police officer in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Ebong Thompson has rejected the sum of N800,000 offered to him to secure the release of an armed robbery suspect and cover up the crime.

This is as the command has arrested the suspects in connection with the bribe

A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Friday said the suspects involved in the deal have been arrested and taken to custody.

According to the statement, 53-year-old David Isaac was arrested after a Samsung phone that was snatched at gun point was traced to him.

John stated that the suspect has a record of similar offences having been arrested and charged to court for similar crimes sometime last year but returned to criminal activities after his release.

She added that the other suspect, Emmanuel Peter, was arrested and taken to custody after he brought the the sum of N.8m to the SWAT office to secure the release of the main suspect.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police who has given a commendation letter to the officer, warned the public to desist from compromising police investigation.

The statement read in part, ”A police officer in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, CSP Ebong Thompson, rejected N800,000 bribe offered to him on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

“The money was intended to secure the release of an armed robbery suspect and also cover up the crime.

”The suspect, 53-year-old David Samuel Isaac, was arrested after a Samsung phone that was gotten at gun point was traced to him. Isaac has a history of similar offences as he was arrested and charged to court for similar crimes sometime last year but returned to criminal activities after his release.

”The other suspect, Emmanuel Mendie Peter was arrested after he brought the bribe to the SWAT office to secure the release of the main suspect. He was taken into custody after the offer was rejected.

”All officers concerned with this discreet investigation received a commendation letter from the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare. The CP, while addressing officers at the end of the month briefing, charged them to emulate the Distinguished officers.

”Members of the public are therefore warned to desist from compromising police investigation.”
(PUNCH)