No hiding place for looters of Itsekiri commonwealth-CISMA

A professional development-driven social media group, Concerned Itsekiri Social Media Activists, CISMA has vowed that there will be no hiding place for looters of Itsekiri commonwealth in the quest to ensure all-round development of Itsekiri Nation.

CISMA National Coordinator, Comrade Jerry Onesan made the vow Thursday February 11, at Ogidigben, Ugborodo in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State during the commencement of on-the-spot assessment of projects awarded by Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC in Itsekiri oil producing communities.

While frowning at the manner the interventionist agency awarded jobs to contractors, CISMA tasked the Commissioner representing Itsekiri Nation in the Board of DESOPADEC to personally carry out on-the-spot assessment of all projects being executed by DESOPADEC in Itsekiri communities to ensure they are up to standard and completed in record time.

Our Senior Correspondent reports that during the projects’ tour by CISMA at Ogidigben, the contractor handling the construction of two hostels and dining hall at Ogidigben Grammar School, A&J Construction Company Limited represented by the Project and Site Manager, Mr. Tuoyo Igbiaye disclosed that the job was awarded in 2007 by DESOPADEC.

He bemoaned what he described as poor funding of projects awarded by the Commission and explained that work on the school project was stalled due to inadequate release of fund, adding that the actual amount for the project is N391million as against N451 million widely reported.

Mr. Igbiaye further explained that projects awarded to his company in Itsekiri oil producing communities by DESOPADEC include the completed sand-filling and building of 12 housing units at Ogidigben, completed Led TV Project at Ugbuwangue community in Warri South Local Government Area, completed Led TV Project at Ogidigben, completed two housing units at Abi-Ugborordo in Warri North Local Government Area and completed five housing units at Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area.

Mr. Tuoyo Igbiaye (left) making a remark at one of the projects site at Ogidigben, while other CISMA members listen

In his response, Chairman of Ogidigben Community, Mr. David Mamah said that DESOPADEC Projects in Ogidigben are ongoing, not abandoned.

Fresh Angle International can also report that CISMA also visited the welding and fabrication yard being handled by Prince Freeborn Etchie. The job according to Etchie is stalled due to non-payment by DESOPADEC, even as he expressed desire to continue work on the project if DESOPADEC releases fund.

The Chairman of Madangho community, Mr. Edirin Spencer Eyikimi noted that out of 30 housing units intended to be built by DESOPADEC, only 24 was started and are yet to be completed, just as it was discovered that at the proposed New Ugborodo Town, only 30 housing units out of 300 housing units originally proposed have been constructed up to foundation level. There was little or nothing to show on the project site, save for the sand dredged, abandoned Caterpillar and Swamp buggy.

The contractor handling the multi-purpose hall at Ogidigben, Rolemo Resources Global Limited claimed that since January 2015, he has not received any payment from DESOPADEC to enable him continue work at the project site.

CISMA challenged DESOPADEC to mobilize contractors handling its projects and come out straight to tell the world the true state of projects it awarded in Itsekiri communities.

Our Senior Correspondent reports that The Director of Media and Publicity of CISMA, Comrade Gedu Godwin Toritseju, Samuel Meyiwa Khalil, SMK, Prince Tosan, Temi Edah, Victor Etchie, Kelly Nana, all CISMA members who spoke during the on-the-spot tour at Ugborodo communities enjoined DESOPADEC to be sincere about the projects being executed in Itsekiri oil producing communities.

×