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Lists Completed Projects In Mandate Areas
By Elohor Foghola
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Festus Ochonogor, says the commission is ending the year stronger, following Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s intervention, which enabled the payment of contractors and restored confidence on project delivery.
He disclosed this during a press briefing after the commission’s final board meeting for the year 2025, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Warri and presided over by the Chairman of the Board, Olorogun Barr. John Nani.
Chief Ochonogor said that the board met primarily to express their appreciation to the governor for the “massive intervention” that allowed DESOPADEC to offset debts owed nearly 300 contractors.
He explained that while some contractors received 50 percent of their outstanding payments, others were paid in full as directed, thus easing the Commission’s operations, and strengthening its ability to do more for communities in its mandate area.
Reviewing the performance of the board, Chief Ochonogor said the commission had strengthened discipline and internal order, resolving issues around staff promotions and other administrative lapses, stressing that the Commission will not tolerate indiscipline.
On infrastructure , he stated that the commission had completed several projects across all mandate ethnic nationalities—Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ika and Ndokwa.
With debts now cleared, project commissioning will commence early in 2025.
He added that, the board also reviewed arrangements for the commission’s annual end of year activities, which include support for staff, traditional institutions and communities across the mandate areas, noting that these seasonal programmes remain an important part of DESOPADEC’s engagement with its stakeholders.
Chief Ochonogor assured the people in the mandate areas that DESOPADEC will continue to engage them and maintain its open-door policy. He also urged the people to continue in their support for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration for more development across the state.
