DELTA-NEWSWATCH

  Niger Delta has extended heartfelt birthday felicitations to renowned Niger Delta leader, elder statesman and resource control advocate, Chief (Dr.) Wellington O. Okirika, CON, fondly known as "Mr. 13% Derivation Fund," in recognition of his lifelong commitment to justice, equity and the advancement of oil-producing communities in Nigeria. In a goodwill message signed by Comrade Steven Luke, the Human Rights Community described Chief Okirika as a courageous patriot, fearless advocate and one of the foremost champions of the struggle for resource control, environmental justice and the constitutional rights of host communities in the Niger Delta. According to the statement, Chief Okirika's unwavering dedication to the cause of the Niger Delta has inspired generations of activists and community leaders. His role in advocating for the constitutional recognition of the 13% Derivation Fund remains one of his most enduring legacies in Nigeria's democratic journ...

The Organization for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian has called on the management and board of to immediately provide Deltans with a comprehensive account of their activities and stewardship during their years in office. In a statement issued by the group's spokesperson, Comrade Steven Luke, the organization expressed concern over what it described as a lack of transparency and accountability regarding the utilization of funds meant for the development of oil-producing communities across Delta State. The group urged DESOPADEC to publicly present details of projects executed, funds received and expended, youth empowerment programmes, infrastructure development, healthcare initiatives, and other interventions carried out during its tenure. According to the statement, the people of Delta State, particularly those from oil-producing communities, deserve to know how resources allocated to the commission have been managed and the impact such funds hav...

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...

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...

The Organisation for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian has raised serious concerns over the activities of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, insisting that DESOPADEC board members should give Deltans a full account and stewardship of their three years in office. According to the group, the people deserve transparency, accountability, and detailed explanations on how the 13% derivation funds were utilized across oil-producing communities in Delta State. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group’s spokesperson, Steven Luke, said Deltans want to see visible projects, youth empowerment programmes, quality healthcare services, road infrastructure, educational development, and meaningful impacts in the various communities under the commission’s responsibility. He noted that it is important for the board to publicly present its achievements, challenges, and financial records for proper public assessment. The group further stressed th...

The Convener of Village Boys movement for Obi, Delta State branch Comrade Steven Luke has blast the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, popularly called “Commissioner of Mosquitoes” by angry residents over the poor condition of Olomoro General Hospital in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. Comrade Steven Luke who was with newsmen stated that, despite several claims by the Delta State Ministry of Health about ongoing healthcare reforms and renovation of health centres across the state, the condition of Olomoro General Hospital continues to raise serious concerns among community members.  Residents have lamented that the hospital environment has been overtaken by overgrown weeds, dirty surroundings, and mosquito infestation, making the facility uncomfortable for patients and health workers. Many believe the government has neglected the hospital despite public promises of healthcare improvements across Delta State. Dr. Joseph Onojaeme currently serv...

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...

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