We Shall Resist Re-naming of DESOPADEC-Chief Izuokumor

The co-ordinator, Delta Ijaw Oil and Gas Producing Communities, Chief Favour Izuokumor has stated that they would not accept the naming of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, to Delta State Oil Producing Ethnic Nationalities being proposed by the state Governor, Dr. Ifeayin Okowa.

Chief Izuokumor who is also the Spokesperson of the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom Council of chiefs said what they would support in the proposed amendment now before the state House of Assembly are measures designed to make the agency more administratively efficient and effective in delivering physical infrastructure and empowerment dividends to the real oil and gas producing communities in the state and measures aimed at sealing all the loopholes and corrupt practices in the agency.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Independent in Warri, Chief Izuokumor said proposals aimed at running DESOPADEC on Senatorial basis is certain to throw the state into another round of chaos as not all the ethnic nationalities in the state is oil and gas producing and therefore should not enjoy the equal rights with actual producers who also suffers from damaging effects of oil and gas exploration and exploitation.

He said only maintenance of the status-quo by way of retaining the name, DESOPADEC, and abiding by the rules and guidelines provided for in the Act Establishing same since the Chief Ibori administration can guarantee peace as they would deploy all civilized means to tackle the proposed re-structuring which he said has some ulterior motives or hidden agenda.

Chief Izuokumor said basing the administration of DESOPADEC on Senatorial principles will make the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Isoko oil and gas producing areas who are the major oil and gas producers in the state and in one Senatorial district suffer gross injustice, exploitation and undue marginalization in benefiting from resources in their own areas in terms of appointment, contracts and other social benefits.

He advised Governor Okowa not to listen to sycophants who are bent on tarnishing his good name for their selfish end, saying that the Ijaws voted massively to ensure his emergence as Governor and so he should not do anything or take any unwise decision that would drag his name to the mud.

He further admonished Governor Okowa to appoint only indigenes of oil and gas bearing communities into key positions in DESOPADEC as doing otherwise would not down well with the people he is voted into power to serve.

×