By Evelyn Obibi-Assay/Igho Ejememo
The Executive Director Projects, DESOPADEC, Chief Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu Thursday, 9th January 2025 played host to the Management of Berr Industry and DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum at the Commission’s Headquarters.
Expressing his admiration for Berr Industry’s presentation, Dr. Okorodudu appreciated their investment plans and the potential for collaboration.
“I am impressed with your investment plans. If we decide to provide an independent power project (IPP) for the mandate areas, it would have a multiplier effect on the economy. I look forward to other meetings and will deliberate with my colleagues to see areas we would want to invest in,” he said.
Dr. Okorodudu further emphasized DESOPADEC’s commitment to developing oil and gas producing areas and generating revenue for the government.
“We are desirous of carrying out our responsibilities and implementing good initiatives to bring development. After deciding on which area we would want to invest in, we will come back to you for feasibility study and thereafter, make presentation to the Management, Board and the Government of the State,” he stated.
Earlier, Berr Industry’s CEO, Mr. Murat Cengiz had given a detailed presentation on Berr Industry’s expertise, explaining that their visit was aimed at exploring collaboration opportunities with DESOPADEC with regards to power, oil, and gas while highlighting Berr Industry’s capacity to build power sector projects, modular refineries, and fund initiatives.
In response to questions posed by Heads of Departments and the Executive Assistant to the EDP on Projects as regards feasibility studies, funding ratios, and profit projections, Mr. Cengiz and his team provided favorable replies, promising to provide necessary information for a proposal to be presented to the Board.
Present at the meeting were Engr. Elliot Olokor, Head of Project Monitoring and Evaluation; Qs Oyimi Williams, Head of Housing; Mr. Festus Ifowodo, Head of Utilities; Engr. Friday Money, Head of Works; Engr. Henry Irnonihe, Lead/Coordinator of Berr Industry and Ahmet Burhonettin Ganipayaoyla, Mechanical Engineer.
In another development, the Executive Director Projects, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu Thursday, 9th January 2025, held a crucial meeting with members of the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum at the Commission’s Head Office in Warri.
According to Dr. Okorodudu, the meeting was aimed at having an interface with the contractors, understanding their challenges and finding ways to mitigate them for a cordial relationship.
“The contractors are our major stakeholders in the Directorate and DESOPADEC as a whole, as a project-based agency saddled with developing oil-bearing communities in Delta State. It’s imperative that contractors are partners in progress in our drive to make positive impact in our mandate communities”, he said.
Dr. Okorodudu announced that the Directorate would embark on projects inspection soon to ascertain the level of work done and take necessary steps to speed up completion of ongoing projects in the mandate communities. He also stated his commitment to providing solutions to issues affecting the smooth implementation of various ongoing projects in the mandate areas.
Promising to address their concerns in subsequent meetings with the Management and Board of the Commission, Dr. Okorodudu directed members of his team to provide him detailed report of all DESOPADEC projects that have been carried out and ongoing.
Earlier, the President of the Contractors Forum, Engr. Ogie Samson had raised concerns about payment issues and variations in ongoing projects due to procurement delays and material cost inflation.
“Some of the major challenges we face include payment issues. Many of us borrowed from banks with high interest rates and for some time now, we haven’t been paid. Also, some of our ongoing projects require variations due to inflation, which has increased the cost of materials. We appeal to the Commission to address these critical areas,” he said.
Engr. Samson thanked Dr. Okorodudu for trying to create a healthy relationship between the Commission and DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors. He however noted that their appeals to the Board had not yielded positive responses in terms of payments to contractors, leaving many contractors indebted to their creditors.
