DELTA-NEWSWATCH

A Niger Delta civil society group has called for urgent investigation into the activities of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the current Board and Management over alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the development of oil-producing communities in Delta State. The group, under the umbrella of the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum, alleged that resources allocated to the commission for critical infrastructure and community development may be diverted for personal and unrelated expenditures, including what it described as the “purchase of chieftaincy titles by public office holders.” Speaking on behalf of the group, Comrade Steven Luke, Unit Spokesperson of the forum, said the statutory responsibilities of the commission have been “gradually compromised,” warning that such actions, if left unchecked, undermine the purpose for which DESOPADEC was established. He stress...

Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) was not created for board members to purchase chieftaincy titles, but to serve the interests of oil-producing communities through development, empowerment, quality healthcare, education, road infrastructure, and transparency. They cannot be buying chieftaincy titles with public funds says Comrade  Steven Luke, the unit spokesperson of the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum. The statutory duties of DESOPADEC board members should not be reduced to buying chieftaincy titles for themselves and their wives. The people of Delta State deserve stewardship, accountability, and visible projects that reflect the purpose for which DESOPADEC was established. Public funds meant for community development should not be diverted into personal glorification while many communities continue to suffer neglect. Deltans are demanding responsible leadership, transparency, and commitment to the welfare of the people.

The Organization for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian, Delta State Chapter, sends its Sunday warm greetings to the DESOPADEC Board Members, who have continued to keep deaf ears to the calls by Deltans for stewardship and accountability regarding their three years in office. In a statement issued by the organization’s spokesperson, Comrade Steven Luke, the group expressed disappointment over what it described as the failure of the DESOPADEC Board Members to deliver meaningful development to the people, especially the oil-producing communities in Delta State. According to Comrade Steven Luke, despite spending three solid years in office, the present DESOPADEC Board has little or nothing to show Deltans as evidence of proper utilization of the 13 percent derivation funds meant for the development of oil-producing communities. The organization stated that instead of focusing on projects that would benefit the people, the DESOPADEC office has allegedly been t...

The Convener of the Village Boys Movement in Delta State, Comrade Steven Luke, has blasted the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, over his appearance on live television where he advised Deltans to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office. Speaking with newsmen, Comrade Steven Luke stated that Governor Oborevwori has no moral right to tell Deltans who to vote for, stressing that many Nigerians are currently facing hardship and unbearable living conditions under the administration of President Tinubu. According to him, hunger, insecurity, high cost of living, and economic hardship have made life difficult for ordinary citizens across the country. He added that the decision on who to support in any election should be left entirely in the hands of the people and not influenced by political office holders.

The Organization For Human and Peoples Right Protection and Humanitarian has raise a serious concern that the alleged corruption rocking the board has continued to raise serious concerns among Deltans, especially oil-producing communities who are demanding transparency and accountability. In a statement issued today Friday by the spokesperson Comrade Steven Luke that many citizens believe that the refusal of the board members to render proper stewardship of their three years in office is a clear indication that all is not well within the commission. Deltans deserve to know how the 13% derivation funds allocated for the development of oil-producing communities were spent. Questions are being raised over abandoned projects, poor infrastructure, lack of youth empowerment, and the absence of visible development across many communities despite huge allocations received by the commission. Concerned stakeholders have therefore called on the board to provide a comprehensive acc...

The Organisation for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian has raised serious concerns that Deltans, especially those from the oil-producing communities, deserve transparency, accountability, and proper stewardship from the DESOPADEC Board members after spending three years in office. In a statement issued by the spokesperson Comrade Steven Luke said that Deltans have the constitutional and moral right to ask questions regarding how the 13% derivation funds were utilized during the tenure of the board. The people want to see clear evidence of projects executed, youth empowerment programs, healthcare improvements, road construction, educational support, and other developmental achievements across the mandate areas. Keeping silent over genuine concerns raised by the people will only create more doubts and dissatisfaction among citizens who expect responsible leadership and good governance. The DESOPADEC Board members should come out openly and give a detailed a...