THE Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) was established in 2006 by the state Government for the purpose of socio- economic and infrastructure development of oil-producing communities in the state. The commission will do this through rehabilitation, resuscitation, and rejuvenation of projects cited in the benefitting communities.
Besides, the commission will ensure that communities impacted by oil production activities receive development and resources needed for improvement, in addition to ensuring equal representation among the Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko, Ndokwa, and Ika nationalities within the state.
For almost two decades, DESOPADEC has indeed lived up to its mandates by expanding the frontiers of sustainable socio-economic growth and development through the execution of several people-oriented projects. But this is not without incurring liabilities to firms contracted for the jobs. In fact, the Commission had a long-standing contract liabilities dating from 2010 to 2023, a development that constituted a hitch to its mandate.
It is, therefore, heart-warming that the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in his determination to restore contractors’ confidence, revitalize grassroots development, and stimulate further economic activities across the state’s oil-producing communities, recently approved the release of ₦8.4 billion to the Commission for the settlement of long-standing contractual obligations that has lingered for over a decade.
Projects executed by the contractors for which the release of ₦8.4 billion was approved by the Governor span across vital sectors of the state’s economy such as road construction, school renovation, water schemes, jetties, and other community development initiatives in various oil-producing areas of the state.
The intervention was announced 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 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 of the money owed them by DESOPADEC.
We applaud the Governor for once again demonstrating visionary leadership and empathy by approving the release of the money to pay the contractors who executed legitimate jobs as far back as 2010 and had remained unpaid since then.
This is not the first time that Governor Oborevwori is taking such action as he had before now directed the release of ₦10 billion to the State Pension Bureau for the purpose of clearing a substantial portion of outstanding pension liabilities, which he also inherited. 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 emphasize that many of these challenges (debt burden) predated the administration of Rt. Hon. 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.
To us, this approval will not only inject liquidity into the local economy of the state but also, restore confidence among contractors and partners of the state. We see the Governor’s gesture as a deliberate step towards stimulating grassroots prosperity and reaffirming government’s reputation as a credible and responsible partner in development.
While applauding the current DESOPADEC management for sustaining regular payments to contractors for projects executed under its watch, in the long run, we expect DESOPADEC and its contractors to reciprocate the governor’s gesture by executing quality and durable projects according to specifications.
This gesture, in our view, will act as an impetus to fast track the dividends of democracy to the people. With this laudable development, DESOPADEC contractors, who were hitherto owed by the commission will now heave a big sigh of relief and it is also expected that the people in oil bearing communities will continue to enjoy the much needed dividends of democracy.
Finally, we implore residents in oil bearing communities not to disrupt projects being executed in their areas as it is quite uncharitable to do so. Instead they should take ownership of such projects by adequately protecting such facilities (projects) against vandals. Again, it is our view that politics should be divorced from contract award and that any contractor who executes shoddy job(s) should be sanctioned appropriately. To whom much is given, much is expected.
