By Elohor Foghola
WARRI/Nigeria: Chief Festus Ochonogor, the Managing Director/CEO of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), has assured host communities of the commission’s unwavering support to maintain peace within their localities.
This commitment was reiterated during a courtesy visit by the Host Communities Ndokwa West Chapter to the DESOPADEC headquarters in Warri, Delta State, on January 17, 2023.
Commending the cooperation of the Host Communities with both the government and oil servicing companies in their respective areas, Chief Ochonogor urged them to adopt a diplomatic approach in pursuing their demands from these companies. He emphasized the commission’s dedication to ensuring that host communities receive their due benefits, underscoring the core purpose for which DESOPADEC was established.
Addressing the electrification challenges faced by Ndokwa nation, Chief Ochonogor asserted, “The issue of electrification is a major concern, and everyone involved is committed to ensuring there is electricity in Ndokwa nation.” He pledged to address this matter promptly.
Furthermore, Chief Ochonogor announced the commission’s commitment to supporting host communities in training and skills acquisition. He disclosed that the next batch of the DESOPADEC Skills Acquisition (DSA) program is set to commence in March, emphasizing the importance of empowering local indigenes.
The DESOPADEC CEO revealed ongoing collaboration with the state government to assess the production quotas of different ethnic nationalities, aiming to determine the current production quotas for each nationality.
In his opening remarks, Chief Emmanuel Nwaomucha, Chairman of Host Communities Ndokwa West Chapter, commended Chief Festus Ochonogor on his appointment as the Managing Director of DESOPADEC.
Expressing his satisfaction, Chief Nwaomucha recalled the notable achievements during his tenure, including the appointment of Chief Ochonogor and His Excellency, Sir Monday Onyeme, as the Deputy Governor of Delta State.
Chief Nwaomucha appealed to the Managing Director to address critical issues, including electrification challenges in Ndokwa nation, provision of employment, and training for community members.
He emphasized the need for a review of the production quota percentages, pointing out that the existing quota system did not account for the current reality of over nine oil servicing companies operating in Ndokwa West.
The meeting concluded with Chief Festus Ochonogor affirming DESOPADEC’s commitment to fostering collaboration and addressing the concerns raised by the host communities.
