Delta Assembly Charges DESOPADEC Board On Prudent Management Of Funds

The Delta State House of Assembly has tasked the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, on prudent management of funds released to it in order to be able to touch the lives of the people from the oil bearing communities of the state.

Chairman, House Committee on DESOPADEC, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, who on Friday, November 15, 2019 led other members of the committee on a familiarisation visit to the Board at the DESOPADEC’s headquarters in Warri, said the success of the Commission is critical to achieving the Stronger Delta vision of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Hon Guwor who represents Warri South West Constituency and his team were received by the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, alongside other Executive Directors and Board Members representing the various oil bearing ethnic nationalities in the state.

The Lawmaker who reminded the Board of its responsibility of ensuring the growth and development of the oil producing communities in the state, stressed “What is central if DESOPADEC must meet its mandate to the people is prudent management of funds released to the Commission. The 50% of the 13% percent derivation funds to the state must be channeled properly to the needs of oil bearing communities”.

Delta State House of Assembly Committee on DESOPADEC meeting with Board Members of DESOPADEC at Commission’s headquarters in Warri

Hon Guwor urged members of the DESOPADEC Board to work as a team and avoid rancor to enable them achieve the desired results, even as he task the board to also adhere to the law establishing the commission and abide by the financial guidelines as well as the extant rules of the State.

He however applauded the Board for embarking on town hall meetings with the ethnic nationalities as a bottom to top approach to ensure that projects executed have direct impact on the people.

Hon Emomotimi Guwor spoke of the need for the Area Offices of the commission to be sited in the oil bearing communities expressing confidence in the board to live up to expectation.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Commission, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, noted the DESOPADEC House Committee capacity to encourage and midwife the policies and programmes of the commission to achieve success.

Bashorun Ogieh said the present Board on assumption of office went straight to tackling inherent challenges which include staff verification through biometric clock-in, office accommodation and huge debts owed to contractors.

Delta State House of Assembly Committee on DESOPADEC meeting with Board Members of DESOPADEC at Commission’s headquarters in Warri

He stated that the 2019 budget, majorly drawn to align the 2018 budget is ready for presentation adding that the upcoming fiscal year will consolidate on the Board resolve to make DESOPADEC better positioned in delivering on its mandate.

Other members of the Committee at the visit include, Honorables Rueben Izeze, Ferguson Onwo, Matthew Opuoru, Austin Chikezie, Asupa Forteta, Austin Uroye and Charles Emetulu.