Okorodudu hosts Leaders Of Owevwe Community Development Committee

The Executive Director Projects, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu has assured that DESOPADEC shall vigorously pursue inclusiveness while implementing the developmental agenda of the Commission in the oil producing communities of the State.

Dr. Okorodudu gave this assurance Monday March 16 at the Commission's Head Office in Warri when he played host to the leadership of Owevwe Community Development Committee consisting of seven communities which include Owevwe, Saniko, Gana, Agbaide, Ughere, Otokutu and Opherin in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Welcoming the Executive Members of the Committee on behalf of the DESOPADEC Board Chairman, Chief Barr. John Obukokwho Nani, Dr. Okorodudu appreciated their patience and posture on dialogue in driving home their demands and agitation for the Commission to implement people-oriented projects in their communities.

Speaking further, Dr. Okorodudu said he had the mandate of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Festus Ochonogor to liaise with them and report back to the Management and Board of the Commission for a proper understanding and to forge a way forward.

"The Commission is open to dialogue with every community to find amicable solution to every challenge. What you have requested for are not out of place, knowing full well that your community is the host to one of the rich oil wells in the Niger- Delta (OML 30 Eriemu Oil Fields). The Commission shall always pursue inclusiveness in the development agenda of the interventionist agency. I will channel all your demands to the Management and Board of DESOPADEC so that the communities can be carried along," he said.

Earlier, the legal counsel to the communities who spoke on behalf of the Exco members, Hon. Roland Ufuoma Oyibo Esq had demanded from DESOPADEC the fair share of the 50% of the 13% oil derivation from the Federal Government for the communities hosting the OML 30 Eriemu Oil Fields Owevwe, noting that since the creation of DESOPADEC, the communities had not benefited anything including employment of the indegenes, projects and empowerment.

Speaking further, Hon. Roland said the Exco came to present a list of demands to the Commission for immediate attention and implementation for the communities to feel the impact of DESOPADEC in their communities, being one of the richest oil fields of the twenty-eight (28) Oil Wells in the Niger -Delta.

"We need employment for the indigenes of our communities; construction of Owevwe Market; re- construction of Owevwe road; building of Corpers lodge at Owevwe Secondary School; construction of 2 bedroom flats as Teachers quarters in Owevwe Secondary School; perimeter fencing of the School; fifteen thousand liters capacity solar water system in the community; Perimeter fencing of Opherin Community primary school; provision of 500kva transformer; solar street lights to Saniko community; drainage system to Gana community and other communities like Agbaide, Ughere, Otokutu amongst others, as listed in our letter to the Commission," he said.

Speaking further, he added that the leadership of the communities have made various efforts to dialogue with the Commission to bring attention to the communities, stressing that this should be well harnessed by both parties to bring an understanding between the Commission and the communities to foster unity, inclusiveness and development in the oil producing areas.

Commending Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu and the Management of the Commission for the warm welcome accorded the Exco members, Hon. Oyibo prayed that the understanding already established shall foster unity and development in the communities, moving forward.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the letter of demands to the Executive Director Projects, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu by the Community Development Chairman, Mr. Ibebe O Mathew.

Those in attendance included Eddy Adjamakpo, PG Gana community; Akporido Patrick, PG, Saniko Community; Simon Ovejotor, PG Ughere community and Abraham Umurolor, PG Owevwe community. 

Others were Executive Assistant to the EDP, Engr. Tony Okuwe; Head, Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit, DESOPADEC, Barr. Mrs. Zino Duku; Engr. Mathew Onokpasa, SA to the EDP; Engr. Friday Money, HOD, works; QS. Williams Oyimi, Head Department of Housing; Mr. Odiuzou Obruozie, HOD Utilities Department; Engr. Eliot Olokor , HOD PME amongst others.

By Ejememo Enoch Igho, Evelyn Obibi-Assay 

×