…Lauds Oborevwori Developmental Strides Across DESOPADEC Mandate Areas
By ELOHOR FOGHOKLA / ELIZABETH ODUJE
The Executive Director of Projects at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, has commended Governor Sherriff Oborevwori for his visionary leadership and commitment to development of the state.
Chief Okorodudu gave this commendation today, when he and his team took the inspection tour to riverine communities in Burutu and Warri South West of Delta State.
He thanked the Governor for the projects he is executing across DESOPADEC mandate areas. Adding that he has done fantastically well. He described him as a “hardworking governor who is a blessing to the state”.
The Executive Director of Projects, accompanied by his team, conducted an inspection of the construction progress on a concrete jetty in the Bemogbene community, in the Warri South West local government area. He described the project as a transformative project and vital investment in connectivity that would boost the economic growth for the people of Bemogbene.
Okorodudu acknowledge the challenges of developing the riverine communities due to its unique terrain. “Executing a project in the riverine area takes more than five times the amount of execution on land. This project justifies the creation of DESOPADEC, which is to meet the needs of oil- bearing communities”
The team proceeded to Ijansa community also in Warri South West, where DESOPADEC is constructing a 7 unit of 2 bedrooms detached bungalow, Chief Okorodudu, said “we can see the highly challenged environment, from history, it is a reclaimed land by DESOPADEC, where they have to sandfill it and awarded a contract for building houses for the community.
He commended the contractor for going beyond the first phase of the job, saying that he deserves an award for quality job done. “Contractors in the riverine areas deserves to be paid immediately they submit their certificates due to the challenges of executing projects in the riverine area.
“Contractors who are patriotic enough by investing their money into the job, even when the contract has not been awarded, deserves to be recognised. They also deserve to be given an award for delivering work that meets high standards.
In Burutu, the Director of Projects, inspected the ongoing construction of skill acquisition center and the Library. He praised the quality of the construction while emphasizing the need for its full completion.
“This project, awarded in 2014, was well implemented with solid construction,” he noted.
However, he acknowledged the challenges of vandalism due to delayed payments to the contractor. “I’ve always emphasized that projects must be completed and commissioned; otherwise, we cannot claim credit for them,” he stressed.
Okorodudu praised the contractor’s dedication, stating, “Contractors who go beyond their scope, even without full payments, deserve recognition. We cannot abandon them because they are key partners in delivering on DESOPADEC’s mandate.” He assured that he would take the matter to the management and board to push for the project to be re-award and completed.
He also commended the Executive Director of Social Service Chief Favour Izuokumor and the Member representing Ijaw ethnic nationality, Hon. Spencer Okpoye, for their effective monitoring of the projects to ensure that they are completed in due time.
The inspection tour ended with a visit to the office of the executive chairman of Burutu Local Government Area, Hon Julius Takeme. Okorodudu expressed deep appreciation for the chairman’s leadership and rare degree of commitment to good governance and infrastructural development.
Hon. Takeme thanked the Executive Director of Projects for the coming personally to inspect the projects in Burutu. He commended DESOPADEC for their laudable projects in the local government saying “we are partners in developing Burutu in line with the MORE Agenda of our dear Governor.
Speaking to some members of the communities, Mr. Anthony Tugo of Bemogbene community commended the Governor of Delta State and DESOPADEC for the construction of a new jetty for them, saying “Before now we swim through the mud to get to our houses but now, we walk on the jetty. Mr. Tugo appealed to the state government to consider extending the road into the town and also install solar lights for the community.
In the Ijansa community, Mr. Fabian Kalanda expressed his gratitude to DESOPADEC for constructing the houses. He stated that once completed, these houses would significantly improve their living conditions by offering protection from the rain and sun, which they currently endure in their temporary thatch shelters.
