The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) was established in 2006 by the State Government to develop the economic and social infrastructure of oil-producing communities in the state.
The Commission was founded to address the socio-economic needs of Delta State’s oil-producing communities through rehabilitation, resuscitation, and rejuvenation of projects. It was established by the state government to ensure that communities impacted by oil production receive the development and resources needed for improvement.
Established through an Act of the State House of Assembly, DESOPADEC was to cater for the socio-economic advancement of oil-bearing communities in the state; rehabilitate, resuscitate, and rejuvenate the people and communities of the oil-producing areas of the state and to ensure equal representation among the Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko, Ndokwa, and Ika nationalities within the state.
For almost two decades down the line, DESOPADEC has indeed been living up to its mandate as it has been expanding the frontiers of sustainable socio-economic growth and development in oil-producing areas of the state through the execution of several people-oriented projects across communities within the Commission’s areas of coverage.
However, the Commission had long-standing contract liabilities dating from 2010 to 2023. In his determination to restore contractors’ confidence, revitalise grassroots development, and stimulate economic activities across the state’s oil-producing communities, the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori approved the release of ₦8.4 billion to the Commission for the settlement of long-standing contractual obligations that have lingered for over a decade.
The intervention was announced recently by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Communication, Mr Charles Aniagwu, while briefing Government House Correspondents shortly after a meeting between the Governor and Management of DESOPADEC at Government House, Asaba.
Mr Aniagwu disclosed that the Governor has once again demonstrated visionary leadership and empathy by approving the release of the money to pay DESOPADEC contractors who, he said, executed legitimate projects for the Commission as far back as 2010 and had remained unpaid since then. According to him, all verified contractors owed ₦20 million and below will be paid 100 per cent of their outstanding sums, while those owed above ₦20 million will receive 50 per cent as part of the phased settlement plan.
This measure, the Commissioner said, will not only inject liquidity into the local economy of the state but also restore confidence among contractors and partners of the state. He noted that the gesture was a deliberate step towards stimulating grassroots prosperity and reaffirming the government’s reputation as a credible and responsible partner in development.
“You will recall that not too long ago, His Excellency directed the release of ₦10 billion to the State Pension Bureau for the purpose of clearing a substantial portion of outstanding pension liabilities. That action was a continuation of his earlier intervention to address the issue of promotion arrears, which he resolved upon assumption of office.
“It is important to emphasise that many of these challenges predated the administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. Yet, in keeping with his “MORE Agenda” anchored on Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security, he has chosen not to ignore the burdens of the past but to confront them head-on with courage and compassion.
“Today, His Excellency has once again demonstrated visionary leadership and empathy by approving the release of ₦8.4 billion to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) for the settlement of long-standing contractual obligations,” Mr Aniagwu added.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor, applauded the Governor for approving the release of ₦8.4 billion to the Commission for the settlement of debts owed its contractors. Chief Ochonogor said the projects executed by the contractors span vital sectors such as road construction, school renovation, water schemes, jetties, and other community development initiatives across various oil-producing areas of the state.
“Upon assuming office, His Excellency directed the Commission to undertake a thorough audit of its records to identify all verified claims and ensure fairness and transparency. Following that review, the Governor approved this significant financial intervention of ₦8.4 billion to clear these legitimate debts,” the DESOPADEC Managing Director said.
He added that since Governor Oborevwori assumed office, the current DESOPADEC Management has sustained regular payments to contractors for projects executed under its watch, stressing that the newly approved funds were specifically to settle inherited contractual obligations from previous years.
In another development, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has called for innovation, sustainability and equity in the planning, financing, and execution of Nigeria’s infrastructure projects, even as he said that the state government will sustain its collaboration with the federal government in deepening infrastructural development.
Governor Oborevwori, who made the call at the 30th Meeting of the National Council on Works, held in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, pointed out that meaningful national development can only be achieved through strong collaboration among all tiers of government and the active involvement of the private sector.
Represented at the ceremony by the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, the Governor described the annual gathering as more than a meeting of professionals and policymakers, but a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s shared resolve to build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure landscape.
He emphasised Delta State’s continued commitment to infrastructure as a driver of socio-economic transformation, highlighting his administration’s MORE Agenda, which prioritises expanding rural road networks, modernising urban infrastructure, and improving connectivity across the state.
“From the creeks and coastal communities of the Niger Delta to the vibrant urban centres of Asaba, Warri, and Ughelli, our people understand that roads, bridges, and public works are not merely physical structures; they are lifelines of opportunity, access, and unity,” Oborevwori said, noting that his administration had upheld continuity in governance by completing inherited projects while initiating new ones that reflect the current and future aspirations of Deltans.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Works for its proactive funding prioritisation, especially the continuation of NNPCL-funded projects under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, describing the initiative as “pragmatic, forward-looking, and essential to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s road network.”
Oborevwori urged the council to adopt innovative financing models that combine public investment with private capital to ensure efficiency, transparency, and value for money, just as he stressed the importance of sustainability in project design and execution.
While calling for climate-resilient and environmentally sound infrastructure adaptable to evolving needs, he also emphasised equity in infrastructure distribution, noting that all regions of Nigeria, regardless of geography or population, deserve fair access to quality infrastructure that fosters growth and inclusion.
Reiterating Delta’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government and other states, Oborevwori assured that the state brings its experience and commitment to national efforts aimed at transforming lives and strengthening unity through infrastructure. He expressed optimism that the 30th Council Meeting, themed “Discipline, Transparency and Innovation in Engineering Practice,” would mark a defining moment in Nigeria’s infrastructure journey.
