DESOPADEC Projects Inspection Team Hits Ika, Ndowka, Ukwuani

— As Okorodudu Appreciates Board For Jobs Initiatives

By Evelyn Obibi-Assay, Igho Ejememo

The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission DESOPADEC, projects inspection team, led by the Executive Director of Projects, Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu on Monday March 17, 2025 inspected various projects executed by the Commission in Ika, Ndokwa, and Ukwuani Nations.

The inspection commenced with a visit to the palace of the Obi of Owa, HRM Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II where Dr. Okorodudu paid homage to the monarch, saying the visit was a sign of respect and homage to the kingdom.

“You are a father and a very good one to me. I cannot come with my team to your domain for inspection without seeking your permission and blessings,” Dr. Okorodudu said.

The Obi of Owa, HRM Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II appreciated the EDP and his team, stating that it was the first time he was seeing such a large entourage from DESOPADEC.

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“I am very proud of you. By virtue of your position in the past, you have helped a lot of traditional rulers. Within the short period of your resumption in office as an EDP, your impact is being felt. I want to encourage you to continue in your good works. I also want to thank Governor Oborevwori for recognizing you; he is doing very well,” HRM Emmanuel Efeizomor II added.

The team inspected several projects including a 350-seater event center at Owa-Oyibu in Ika North East LGA where Dr. Okorodudu commended DESOPADEC and the project’s initiator for the concept.

“I want to commend DESOPADEC Board and the initiator of this project for the concept. A project like this needs to be replicated in other nations. Whatever that is needed to be put in place to see to the completion of the project would be tidied up,” Dr. Okorodudu said.

Arch. Sunny Ovisi briefed the EDP on the project, saying it was a three-in-one project consisting of the building, furnishing, and fencing, which still has some remedial work ongoing.

Engr. Tony Okuwe added that the furnishing part of the project was already awarded but the contractor requested a review due to the rise in the cost of materials.

The team also inspected 40 poles of solar-powered lights and an 8-kilometer road at Obi-Anyima road, leading to Abavo/Abraka roads.

Dr. Okorodudu advocated for the commissioning of the projects, stating they were completed and due for commissioning.

The next port of call was the inspection of another 40 poles of solar-powered lights at Owa-Aladinma.

Thereafter, the team inspected an ongoing construction project of a warehouse and two blocks of 20 lock-up shops at Etu-Ukpo in Ndowka West LGA.

Dr. Okorodudu commended the concept and thanked the Board representatives from the area for the initiative.

“I want to commend the Board representatives from this area. This concept is quite an impressive one and I am very sure they did a project that is actually needed by the people from this place. A warehouse in the midst of open and lock-up shops is quite commendable and needs to be replicated in other areas,” Dr. Okorodudu said.

The team further inspected a police station project at Etua-Etiti in Ndowka West LGA, a DESOPADEC centralized project which consists of the rehabilitation of the old Police station with perimeter fencing and landscaping with a block of 4 units bedsitters for rank and file officers, as well as a 2 bedroom detached bungalow for the Station Officer, alongside a component of street lights. Dr. Okorodudu tagged it as one of DESOPADEC’s star projects.

“I am very impressed with the level of work done so far in this place. This job shows that DESOPADEC is working, and our Governor, who has given us this opportunity to serve, is working. I will say this is one of the star projects that the Commission has executed, and it is important that a job like this is replicated in other mandate areas of the Commission,” Dr. Okorodudu said.

The team later visited Utagba-Uno Primary Health Care Center, where DESOPADEC executed perimeter fencing, facelift of the main building and construction of a 2-bedroom detached bungalow for doctors.

Dr. Okorodudu commended the Commission’s efforts and thanked the community members for their cooperation, while assuring the Matron, Mrs. Gloria Enebeli that he would put her demands for laboratory equipment into writing and inform the Board as it would enhance performance at the health center.

Earlier, the Matron of the Health Center, Mrs. Gloria Enebeli had commended DESOPADEC for the work done, saying it would help to make work easier at the center especially as doctors find it difficult to visit and stay to attend to patients due to lack of a place to sleep over whenever they are faced with tedious jobs.

She however pleaded that DESOPADEC should help further by providing laboratory equipment for the health center so that patients especially women, can easily access laboratory services.

Other areas visited were the Umutu Arcade, a new innovation by the Member representing Ndowka and Ukwuani on the Board of DESOPADEC, Surv. Azuka Enebeli.

Also in Umutu, a youth Secretariat with a structure of 3 offices alongside a public toilets facility sited at Umutu market were inspected.

The team finally inspected a block of 7 classrooms at Emeni Primary School in Obiaruku, in Ukwuani Local Government Area.

Dr. Okorodudu who briefed DESOPADEC Media after the inspection, thanked Governor Oborevwori for appointing Board members who have the interest of their people at heart.

He said with the level of projects carried out and monitored by the Board members that he had seen so far, it only indicates that the Board Members are ready to work in tandem with the Governor in actualization of MORE Agenda.

Present during the inspection was the Member representing Ndowka and Ukwuani on the Board of DESOPADEC, Surv. Azuka Enebeli; Engr. Friday Money, Head Department of Works; Engr. Elliott Olokor, Head Department of Projects Monitoring And Evaluation; Dr. Fredrick Adu, Head, Department of Medical, Health and Safety; Mr. Festus Ifovwodo, Head, Department of Utility; Engr. Tony Okuwe, Executive Assistant to the EDP; Engr. Chief Mathew Onokpasa, PA to the EDP; Engr. Evans Omene, Technical Adviser to the EDP; Arch. Sunny Ovisi, staff of the Department of Housing and Hon. Echegbue Nkechi, the Vice Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government Area.