DELTA-NEWSWATCH

Civil society stakeholders in the Niger Delta have called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a 13 per cent Derivation Fund Board and a Presidential Monitoring Committee to ensure transparency, accountability and direct development impact in oil-producing communities. In a Democracy Day statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum (NDCSF) faulted the position of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that the Petroleum Industry Act had adequately addressed the developmental needs of host communities. The group described the claim as “legally flawed and misleading,” insisting that the 13 per cent derivation fund is a constitutional entitlement under Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution and cannot be replaced by the Host Community Development Fund established under the Petroleum Industry Act. “The derivation principle is constitutional compensation for oil-producing communities. It is not men...

The people of Delta State are calling on the (EFCC) to urgently launch a thorough investigation into the activities of the board members of the during their three years in office. Concerned citizens and stakeholders have raised questions regarding transparency, accountability, and the utilization of funds allocated to the commission for the development of oil-producing communities across Delta State. They are demanding a comprehensive audit and public disclosure of projects executed, contracts awarded, and the overall impact of the commission's activities on the lives of people in the mandate areas. Many Deltans believe that an independent investigation by the EFCC will help determine whether public funds were properly managed and whether the objectives for which DESOPADEC was established have been achieved. They insist that stewardship and accountability are essential in a democratic society and that public office holders must be answerable to the people. The call...

The Organization for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian has called on the (EFCC) to investigate the activities of the over its three years in office, alleging a lack of meaningful development projects across oil-producing communities in Delta State. In a statement issued by the organization's spokesperson, Comrade Steven Luke , the group urged the EFCC to launch a thorough probe into DESOPADEC's finances and operations. According to the statement, the commission has received billions of naira from funds allocated for the development of oil-producing communities, yet many communities have not witnessed significant infrastructural development or tangible projects. The organization expressed concern that rather than focusing on impactful development initiatives, DESOPADEC officials have allegedly been more visible attending ceremonial events and receiving chieftaincy titles across various communities and kingdoms in the state. The group therefore...

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...