BREAKING: Ijaw Contractors Demand DESOPADEC Reform Over Unpaid Projects

Contractors from the Ijaw ethnic nationality under the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) have issued a stern call for reform, citing widespread marginalization and non-payment for completed projects. In a strongly worded letter, the group accused the Commission’s leadership of selective financial practices and warned of renewed agitation in oil-producing communities if their concerns remain unaddressed.

Operating under the DESOPADEC Ijaw Ethnic Nationality Contractors’ Forum, the group specifically called on the Commission's Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor, to immediately halt alleged selective payments and reinstate equitable financial practices aligned with the agency’s mandate.

The contractors reminded the Commission that DESOPADEC’s creation in 2006 was not a political favor, but the result of sustained agitation and, in some cases, armed resistance by the Niger Delta's oil-producing communities in response to economic exploitation and systemic neglect.

“The Commission’s primary duty,” the group emphasized, “is to utilize 50% of the 13% derivation fund to directly develop oil and gas-producing areas. However, current operations suggest otherwise — a payment structure hijacked by a clique deciding who gets paid and who doesn’t.”

According to the forum, unlike previous DESOPADEC administrations that provided a 25% upfront mobilization to contractors, the current board has failed to honor payment obligations, citing weak justifications like delayed remittances from the state.

The letter, signed by Forum Chairman Pst. Hon. Ako Samuel, Secretary Hon. Akiefa Godspower, and Public Relations Officer Comrade Felix Osaine, outlined six clear demands:

1. Equitable Payments: Contractor payments must reflect each ethnic group’s oil production quota and be verified through the Ijaw Contractors’ Forum.
2. Proper Oversight: All payments should be routed through the Executive Director of Social Services and the Ijaw ethnic nationality commissioner on the DESOPADEC board.
3. No More Tokenism: Symbolic or fractional payments are no longer acceptable.
4. Immediate Disbursement: All pending payment certificates must be settled in full without delay.
5. Reinstate Mobilization Funding: The Commission must return to the previous standard of 25% project mobilization.
6. Transparency and Accountability: Funds should no longer be managed at the discretion of internal cliques.

The group also noted that ongoing non-payments have left many projects in Ijaw communities incomplete, deepening public frustration and eroding trust in DESOPADEC’s leadership.

Despite these grievances, the forum commended Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for his visible commitment to infrastructural development across the state. They urged him to directly intervene in the DESOPADEC payment crisis to prevent further escalation.

Importantly, the letter was not sent in isolation. It was officially copied to key decision-makers and stakeholders across the state government and DESOPADEC, including:

* His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State
* The Chairman of DESOPADEC
* All Executive Directors of the Commission
* All Ethnic Nationality Commissioners on the DESOPADEC Board

By circulating the letter to the full leadership spectrum, the forum made it clear that this issue is no longer an internal matter — it is now a public accountability demand with state-wide visibility.

“We call for swift and decisive action,” the statement concluded. “The clock is ticking, and the drums of agitation are starting to beat again.