There are indications that massive corruption and crisis of interest are rocking the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
Facts emerging from the commission are indicative that a number of vexed issues ranging from flamboyant lifestyle of senior staff of the commission, agitation over short changing and partiality in employment to double dealing in the payment of youths’ empowerment funds among others are issues begging for attention in the commission.
The commission which was established to cater for the development needs of the oil producing communities of the state is gradually derailing out of its set objective to becoming a conduit pipe to enrich some individuals in the state.
Investigations had revealed that some aggrieved PDP chieftains who wanted the commission’s top job but could not following the allegation that former Governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, who is cooling off in London prison, anointed Williams Maknde against Governor Okowa’s wish for the position of the commission’s Managing Director, are also said to be working to frustrate the MD in the eyes of Okowa.
These individuals, 247ureports.com learnt, have sworn to make DESOPADEC another war zone so as to frustrate Makinde to resign his appointment as the heat multiplies to give room for re-shuffling of personnel at the commission.
247ureports.com also learnt from reliable sources that Itsekiri groups in the commission are angry that Urhobo indigenes who do not produce oil as the Itsekiris dominate most sections of the commission, hence making it almost an Urhobo affair.
247ureports.com also gathered that the state governor is not pleased with the style of Makinde as he was not his initial candidate for the position, a development which may have been the principal reason why the governor directed the state PDP chairman, Edwin Uzor, to issue query to him during the PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba a few weeks ago.
In the meeting which held at the state PDP secretariat, the Managing Director, rather than stay within the hall of the event was outside with friends prompting the governor to direct Uzor to issue him query but on hearing the governor’s directive, he quickly showed up, thereby pacifying the anger of the governor.
The battle is currently getting tensed as youths are said to be planning to take over the commission’s premises in the near future over delay in the release of their financial entitlements.
Indications are rife that heads may roll at the commission as some personnel may be docked for financial crimes as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC officials are alleged to be warming up to scan account books of the commission.
But rather than defend the allegations tearing the commission apart, Prince Oromonokpaye, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Managing Director, listed various good deeds of his boss to journalists in Delta State.
He said “are you not aware that he gave rice to all the journalists in the state before the Christmas celebration? He is also planning a training session for all the journalists in the state.
“He gathered journalists round the state and gave them bags of rice and oil. So if you see reports like that, you don’t need to call me before killing it.
“When NUJ members were holding their annual week in Asaba, he gave them money for the weeklong event. If he is reaching journalists and the same journalists turn around to bite him will he do it again? We gave 225 journalists in the state xmas benefits.
“We did it because they are my colleagues, so let’s encourage the Managing Director to work for the state. A training programme is coming for journalists and he is sponsoring the training”.
