As more allegations of fraud and impunity continue to trail Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration, leaders of oil producing communities in Delta State who are dissatisfied with the deployment of the 13% derivation from the Federation Account, have enjoined the governor to provide concrete evidence of remittance of not less than 50% of the funds to Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), since assumption of office in 2015.
The aggrieved leaders who threw their weight behind the Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark’s stance over the ₦240 billion and accounting for the over ₦2 trillion received by the Okowa’s administration under the 13% derivation in the period under review.
A statement jointly endorsed by the leaders noted that the DESOPADEC establishment Law in section 17 sub section 1(a) categorically states that 50% of the 13% Oil derivation fund accruing to the Delta State government from the Federation Account would be disbursed to the Commission.
The leaders, however, observed in dismay that under this statutory arrangement, the laudable development agency has become a mere compensatory agency for political patronage by the Okowa’s government with a handful of political leaders and their cronies as beneficiaries rather than appointing credible and transparent persons of proven integrity and service to the people.
The group alleged that Okowa has capitalised on his privileged position to appropriate the quantum of the 13% Allocation, adding that this has invariably left the Commission in comatose.
“The lack of accountability and transparency is a minus to Governor Okowa’s administration. It’s therefore, a disservice to our people such that today what they can offer is to supply grass cutting machines .
“How can we go on like this with a commission that only pays salaries and receive emoluments.
The revelation of our leader, Chief Edwin Clark that funds accruing to the Commission were not duly remitted by the Governor but had been used to fund three newly established Universities, Koka Flyover in Asaba, Maryam Babangida’s Leisure Park, Film Village and Mother and Child specialist Hospital, Owa-Alero, amount to criminal action against the Oil Producing Areas. How do these projects affect the Oil bearing communities?”
The further averred that Oil money is being squandered on none Oil Producing Areas with impunity largely because the Governor was insensitive to the plight of the people in the affected communities.
But the Chief Press Secretary to the State government, Olisa Ifeajika, said that DESOPADEC was always mindful of its 50% statutory entitlement from the 13% derivation fund.
He disclosed that House of Assembly had a committee on DESOPADEC which performs oversight function on the Commission.
He stated that if there were issues with funding, the Commission would raise it in the floor of the House.
“If you say that DESOPADEC is not doing well enough with the funds allocated to it, it’s a different thing. But to say that the 50% does not go to them, I don’t think so,” the spokesman posited.
However the leaders who signed the joint release included Maikpobi Okareme of Isoko Leaders of Thought, Justina Tiemo, Oil Rights Advocacy Woman Leader, Samson Oyimi, Ogbe-Ijaw leaders of Thought and Sylvester Sambo Pinki, leader of Thought, Gbaramatu Kingdom.
