DESOPADEC, Integrity Group To Collaborate On Propagating MORE Agenda 

By Barth Ozah

The Chairman, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission DESOPADEC, Chief John Nani has said the commission is irrevocably committed towards the implementation of the MORE agenda of the state government in the host communities.

The DESOPADEC Chairman who made the commitment while playing host to the media and communication directorate of Integrity Group of Delta state led by the Convener, Dr. Oke Idawene, noted that the interventionist agency will continue to cushion the effects of oil exploration in oil hearing communities inline with the MORE agenda of state government.

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Nani pointed out that the commission was set up through the legislation of the Delta State house of assembly, to use 50% of the 13% derivation by DESOPADEC to develop its mandate areas.

He added that the Commission itself is just a Trustee of the dividends of the oil bearing communities saying the federal government in turn gives 13% as derivation to the state and the state gives 50% of that to go direct to host communities to ameliorate the impacts of oil exploration activities in their domain.

“So, like I said,  the Commission itself is a Trustee of that 50% of the 13%. And what we do in DESOPADEC is bottom-up approach in tackling development issues in the host communities; by having a town hall meetings, talking with the people, asking their representatives, because each of ethnic nationality in the oil bearing communities have representatives in the Board who interact with their people on regular basis on what is of priorities to them.

According to the Chairman, prioritizing  their needs inline with the funds availability is the key to our success in DESOPADEC.

“Processes are done in their own localities in accordance with their demands, how they want it. These are what we need. We now say ok, you might need 10 things, but for now the money available can take five but they suggest and we do for them. That’s why they have representatives in the Board.”

“DESOPADEC is just an avenue or medium through which the state government reach the oil bearing communities directly in consonants with the MORE agenda.”

In his remarks, the Convener of Integrity Group of Delta state, Dr. Oke Idawene had pointed out the needs for Integrity Group which is the MORE agenda and You Matter Charity Foundation ambassadors, to collaborate with the DESOPADEC in propagating the MORE agenda of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwore’s administration, an ideal which the Chairman DESOPADEC welcomed with great optimism.