By Clinton Awhawha
The New Executive Members of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Indigenous Contractors Forum have been inaugurated in Warri, Delta State to run the affairs of the Forum. They are: Engr. Samson Ogie(Chairman) Chief Dominic Afeh,(Vice Chairman), Prince Charles Ebigbagha (Secretary), Mr. Dele Akpotoire (Treasurer) Madam Pat. Olley,(Financial Secretary), Mr. Okotete Karo, (Organising Secretary), Mr. Patrick Ziakpono Oghenemu( Provost), Mrs. Ebi Pat( Publicity Secretary), Mr. Eshareghare Friday (Ex-Officio).
Others are: Comrade Francis Obule JP, (Chairman Board of Trustees), Hon. Sunny Mabiaku, (Secretary Board of Trustees), Sir. Dr. Odili Alphonsus KSM JP, (Adviser), Sir, Dr. Francis Okotete JP( member) and Chief James Tamgbowei, immediate past Chairman of the Forum, (member).
In his acceptance speech, Engr. Ogie promised to unite the Forum and collaborate with the Delta State Government to improve in their services to the people saying, he would ensure members of the Forum benefit from the system. According to him, he would ensure that there was no division, or wrangling in the Forum, as they will have to work together as a body for the development of the state.
Engr. Ogie said:” We the executive of the Forum are ready work with the Delta State government to actualize DESOPADEC ‘ mandate to the oil producing areas of the state”.
According to him, DESOPADEC was formed to empower the people of oil producing areas in Delta State, adding that, as registered indigenous contractors, they understand the terrain and know most of the problems and needs of the people of oil producing communities.
He said:” Delta State belongs to all of us, we must come together to develop it. The Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sheriff Oborevwori is not new to the system and I know, he will do his best to allow contractors to have their payment as at when due. We want to encourage him to pay us in full immediately we complete our projects and not on an installment basis.”
According to him, they are of the belief that Governor Oborevwori will give the body attention through prompt payment for completed projects adding, they are ready to work with him to move Delta State forward saying, they (contractors) in most cases, obtain loans to execute their contracts.
Engr Ogie urged Governor Oborevwori to pay attention to the plight of indigenous contractors by releasing funds promptly for their payment just as he appealed for the Governor to encourage them through payment.
Going memory lane, Engr. Ogie said some people in the past, formed a parallel body to cause confusion among the contractors, adding that, they(Ogie and others) were able to curtail them(parallel). He advised DESOPADEC to always approve projects or contracts that are meaningful (beneficial) to the oil producing communities. He advised Governor Oborevwori to consider the masses especially the indigent and create jobs just as he urged him(Governor) to concentrate on the rural areas that lack amenities.