By Elohor Foghola/Elizabeth Oduje
The Executive Director Projects, on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, Monday, 30th June, 2025 said DESOPADEC is a Commission that is dedicated to empowering Oil Bearing Communities.
Dr. Okorodudu made this statement when he played host to his counterpart, the Executive Director of Projects from Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, Dr. Olujimi Kufo, in his office at the Commission’s Headquarters in Warri.
Dr. Okorodudu while welcoming the visitors on behalf of the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as well as on behalf of the Chairman of DESOPADEC Board, Olorogun. Barr. John Obukowho Nani, the Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor, and the entire Board, briefed Dr. Kufo on DESOPADEC’s structure and operations, highlighting its establishment in 2007 to develop Oil – Bearing Communities using 50% of the State’s 13% Oil derivation fund.
He outlined DESOPADEC’S directorates, including Finance and Administration, Social Services, Projects and Planing Research And Statistics, and also noted the Commission’s focus on addressing the needs of affected ethnic nationalities.
” DESOPADEC has been working tirelessly to improve the lives of people in the Oil bearing Communities. In fact , DESOPADEC as a Commission, is dedicated to empowering the Oil bearing Communities. Established in 2007, the Commission has undergone several transformations, with a mandate to utilize 50% of the State’s derivation fund to upgrade the living standards of these communities. He stated that the mandate areas cuts across twenty one out of the twenty five local government areas of Delta State
Olorogun Dr Ebenezer Okorodudu chronicled the administrative reform that took place in the commission from when the commission was established with an Executive Chairman, Secretary and Commissioners with executive functions through interim management committees led by seasoned civil servants: permanent secretaries to the current position of a chairman, managing director who is the chief executive officer of the commission, four executive directors and commissioners representing the ethnic nationalities.
He stated that Desopadec is operated on ethnic nationality basis taking into cognisance their oil production quantum.
He further stated that the Directorate of Project is made up of four departments; Roads, Housing, Utilities and Project monitoring and evaluation.
The Commission has been handling various Projects, including road construction, housing, utility provisions such as water and electricity” Dr. Okorodudu said.
The Executive Director of Projects, Dr. Okorodudu, further emphasized the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability, with checks and balances in place to ensure projects implementation and monitoring.
He commended the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for providing the leadership and the necessary support for the commission to excel in the performance of its duties.
The Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor, who was also present during the visit, added that the Commission works within the law passed by the House of Assembly and highlighted the Directorate’s initiatives, including bursaries, women empowerment, and youth empowerment.
The Executive Director of Projects, OSOPADEC, Dr. Kufo, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and stated that his visit aimed to understudy DESOPADEC’S operations and to replicate its successes in Ondo State. He commended the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and DESOPADEC Board members for their support and thanked them for sharing their experiences.
