The
Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has challenged
the newly inaugurated 14-man Governing Board for the Delta State Oil Producing
Areas Development Commission [DESOPADEC] to ensure prudent management of
resources for the benefits of the people.
The
constituted Board has Hon. Godwin Ebosa as Chairman, Chief William Makinde as
Managing Director; Chief Askia Ogieh (Executive Director), Hon. Chris Ochor
Ochor (Executive Director); Mr Philip Gbasin (Executive Director); Engr.
Oristetimeyin Wood (Executive Director) while the representatives of the oil
producing areas are Chief Amos Itiwhe, Chief Pius Ovbije, Mr Jonathan Amitaye,
Hon. Ovie Oghoore, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Mr Nnamdi Ezechi, Hon. Fidelis Oputa
and Chief Favour Izoukumor.
Governor
Okowa who charged members of the Board to imbibe the principles of fairness,
equity and justice that are watchword of his administration, emphasised that
members of the Board should always involve host communities in their
decision-making process to foster peace and development in those communities.
“I
encourage you to use the bottom-up approach; the communities should determine
the projects they want in their areas so that peace will reign and development
will be enhanced,” the Governor said, warning, “this administration will not
hesitate to sanction any erring Board member in accordance with the provisions
of the new law.”
According
to him, “the new DESOPADEC structure provides for sound corporate governance in
line with international best practices which is expected to put the Commission
on a stronger footing to better meet the developmental needs of ethnic
nationalities in the oil producing areas.”
“Under
the new structure, there is a Governing Board comprising a Chairman, Managing
Director, four Executive Directors, and nine representatives of Oil Producing
Areas in the state with at least two from each Senatorial District,” he said,
adding, “also listed in the Board are one representative each from the state
Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning.”
While
stating that the new DESOPADEC has no room for incompetence, selfishness and
greed, the Governor emphasised that “the setting up of this Board is coming at
a critical period in our nation’s history – revenue from oil has dropped
drastically and the plight of our oil producing communities has come into sharp
focus and as such, the situation calls for discipline, sacrifice and prudent
management of our resources for maximum benefits to our people and this is the
challenge that you face in your new assignment.”
He
congratulated the chairman and members of the Board and appealed “to all
stakeholders, especially youths, indigenes and communities to cooperate with
the new Board and give it a chance to succeed because everything must be done
to bring development to our people.”
Hon.
Ebosa on behalf of members of the Board, thanked Governor Okowa for recognising
their potentials, stating, “we see our appointment as a call to serve our dear
state, and we will do our utmost best to make life better for our people by
providing quality infrastructure, enhancing social services and ensuring the
implementation of people-oriented value added initiatives, within the limits of
available resources.”
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