The Oil producing communities in the Niger-Delta of Nigeria has suffered a lot from environmental hazards, degradation and under-development from successive administration of the country and state. This
led to series of agitations among the people calling on governments to ameliorate their plights and improve their living condition. As a response to these agitations, the drafters of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at section 162 (2) made provisions for 13% of revenues from natural resources found in oil communities to be paid to such States.
The intent and spirit of the Constitution in providing for 13% revenue was that, responsible Governors would use such monies to develop the oil-producing communities through the construction of world class amenities that would ameliorate their sufferings.
In Delta State, the government of James Ibori established DESOPADEC through the enactment of the DESOPADEC Law, with a clear objective of improving the lives of people living in the oil communities, as the impact of oil exploration greatly impact their lives negatively.
To ensure proper funding, section 19 of the DESOPADEC law provides that 50% of the 13% payable as derivation fund from the Federation account, shall be paid to DESOPADEC so as to enable it deliver on its mandate. At inception, the oil communities made some impacts in construction of roads, health centers etc.
DESOPADEC UNDER OKOWA!
One of the first bill sent to the Delta State House of Assembly by Governor Okowa, was an amendment to the DESOPADEC LAW to tinker with its administrative structures. The feelings of Deltans at the time was that Governor Okowa intends to re-position the agency for better service delivery to the oil producing communities.
However, three and half years down the line, the Okowa Government has simply crippled DESOPADEC to its kneel, as the oil communities cannot point to meaningful projects which is commensurate with the over approximately 280 billion that has accrued to the agency. The conclusion one can draw from this is:
a. It is either Governor Okowa whose community does not produce a drop of oil and such does not appreciate the sufferings of the people and their environment; or
b. the Okowa government does not release the 50% funding to DESOPADEC as provided by law and as such the agency is starved of funds; or
c. Governor Okowa has simply appointed his friends and officials, who do his bidding by denying the oil communities what is due to them and diverting the funds.
DESOPADEC UNDER THE OGBORU GOVERNMENT!
Great Ogboru being an indigene of an Oil producing community himself is passionate and committed to the fact, that while his government would develop all parts of Delta whether oil producing or not, DESOPADEC MUST IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE OIL PRODUCING COMMUNITIES:
To achieve this objectives, he has outlined his blue print for the agency thus:
* Appointment of Technocrats and Men of Integrity to DESOPADEC: The Ogboru's government shall appoint only men and women of integrity, honesty and compassion for the plight of the oil communities. These men and women shall ensure deliver on the set goals.
* Development Plan for the Oil Communities: When sworn it into office, the Ogboru government shall assemble a team of experts to formulate a detailed and workable 4 year development plan, which shall be implemented to ensure growth and prosperity of the areas.
* Award of Desopadec Major Contracts to Reputable Contractors: The Ogboru's government shall insist that projects such roads, bridges, electrification, be constructed in oil communities. However, only reputable contractors shall be engaged as the government would have ZERO tolerance for sub-standard jobs and abandonment of government contracts.
* Free and Qualitative Health care for Children and the Elderly: DESOPADEC under Great Ogboru shall ensure that World class Hospitals and Clinics are built in the Oil Producing Communities. Reputable Doctors and other Health Professionals shall be engaged to tackle diseases in the area.
* Subsidized Health Care for Other Inhabitants of Oil Communities and regular Free sugeries quaterly.
* COMMUNITIES INPUT PROJECTS: On a yearly basis, all Oil producing Communities shall decide which projects they want DESOPADEC executed in their communities. This shall be published in the newspapers and implemented as the funds of the Commission can Carry.
* ACCOUNTABILTY: Officials of DESOPADEC shall brief the Oil producing Communities on a quarterly basis on its activities and projects being executed, executed or about to be executed.
* JOB CREATION FOR YOUTHS: DESOPADEC under Ogboru shall ensure that massive jobs are created through support for modern agricultural activities, with farm-inputs support, ICT training, Sports, Oil Companies placements etc
* ENHANCED AND TRANSPARENT BURSARIES shall be paid to Students from these regions.
TASK BEFORE THE OIL PRODUCING COMMUNITIES IN 2019.
The task before you is quite simple. It's a decision to either allow Governor Okowa and his friends to continue to deny your communities of development or allow Great who understands your plight and is committed to address it to come on board.
I humbly charge you to make the wise decision. Tell all and sundry that enough is enough. Tell all and sundry that February 2019. presents an opportunity to punish Governor Okowa with your votes. He does not simply deserve your vote in the forth-coming election.
I encourage you to vote a sincere man, one of you from an Oil producing community-The Great Ovedje Ogboru, to turn things around quickly.
God Bless Delta State!!
Delta Shall be GREAT again.
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