DELTA-NEWSWATCH

The Convener of Village Boys movement in Delta State chapter, Comrade Steven Luke thanking the members of Living Faith Church Worldwide in Osubi for standing firm and showing that the church altar should not be turned into a political campaign ground after the mention of All Progressives Congress during service. Comrade Steven also said that the church is a place of worship, unity and reverence for God, not a venue for partisan politics. Leaders and politicians should respect the sanctity of the pulpit and avoid dragging worshippers into political interests during church activities. The action by the congregation sends a strong message that faith gatherings must remain focused on God and spiritual matters rather than political propaganda.

The Convener of Village Boys Movement, Delta State Chapter, Comrade Steven Luke, has criticized the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, over his inability to respond to the cries of the good people of Olomoro Community in Isoko South Local Government Area. Comrade Steven Luke, who visited Olomoro General Hospital a few days ago, expressed disappointment over the poor condition of the hospital environment. According to him, the hospital has been abandoned and has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, stressing that in a sane society, such an environment is not fit for human healthcare services. He further stated that if the Commissioner of Health is truly a son of the Isoko Kingdom, he should have taken immediate steps to improve the condition of the hospital. He noted that the hospital lacks many essential facilities, including an ambulance, medical kits, and other important healthcare equipment needed for effective medical services. Comrade Steven ...

The Niger Delta Civil Society Forum (NDCSF) has called on the Board and Management of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to render a comprehensive account of its stewardship over the past three years following the recent extension of the Board's tenure. The group in a statement by Warri/ Uwvie spokesman in Delta State, Comrade Steven Luke said the tenure extension should be accompanied by a transparent assessment of the Commission's activities, projects, and expenditure, particularly regarding funds received from the statutory 13 percent oil derivation allocation meant for the development of oil-producing communities in Delta State. In a statement issued on Monday, the Forum questioned the impact of the substantial resources allocated to DESOPADEC over the years, noting that many communities within the Commission's mandate areas continue to grapple with poor infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facilities, unemployment,  envi...

The Organisation for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian has raised serious concerns over alleged widespread corruption and financial mismanagement in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), calling on anti-graft agencies to immediately investigate the commission. In a statement issued on Thursday, the group’s spokesperson, Comrade Steven Luke, accused some members of the current DESOPADEC board and certain staff of turning the interventionist agency into what he described as “their private business venture and ATM machine.” Luke alleged that the level of corruption in the commission had reached an alarming stage, insisting that urgent intervention by relevant anti-corruption agencies had become necessary to save the oil-producing communities from continued neglect and underdevelopment. According to him, despite the huge allocations accruing to the commission from the 13 percent oil derivation fund, many communities in the ma...

The Niger Delta Civil Society Forum (NCSF) has called for an immediate investigation into the management of the 50 percent share of the 13 Percent Oil Derivation Fund allocated to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), following the recent one-year tenure elongation granted to the Commission’s Governing Board. The forum described the extension of the board’s tenure on May 26, 2026, as questionable and capable of undermining public trust, accountability and transparency in the management of resources meant for oil-producing communities in Delta State. In a strongly worded statement signed by the Forum’s Coordinator, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, in Warri, Delta State, the group insisted that the state government ought to have compelled the board to publicly render a comprehensive account of its stewardship before considering any extension of tenure. According to the Forum, if the board had genuinely performed creditably, there would have been visi...

The Convener of No Jobman for Governor 2023, Comrade Steven Luke, has blasted the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, , and members of the House for passing a vote of confidence and approving an extension for the DESOPADEC Board members. Speaking with newsmen in , Comrade Steven Luke alleged that, over the past few years since the present DESOPADEC Board was inaugurated, there have been no meaningful projects executed across oil-producing communities in the state. He further stated that nothing positive has come from the leadership of Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, accusing the Speaker of supporting what he described as a failed board that was originally established to develop oil-producing communities in Delta State. According to Comrade Steven Luke, the present DESOPADEC Board members cannot point to significant projects or visible developments they have carried out despite the huge funds allocated to the commission. Comrade Steven also alleged that the Delta State O...