Stop plotting to tarnish Askia’s image -DESOPADEC Contractors Warn mischief-makers

Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Indigenous Contractors Forum have warned against attempts to tarnish the achievements of Bashorun Askia Ogieh, the Managing Director of the interventionist agency, over the recently concluded gubernatorial elections in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Warri on Friday Mr. Ogie Samson, Secretary of the Forum said his group was disturbed by campaign of calumny by some mischievous people against Chief Askia inspite of numerous achievements recorded by the DESOPADEC Boss while he was in office.

He emphasized that it was the management skills exhibited by Bashorun Askia that brought adequate coordination in the running of the affairs of the commission which also led to zero fraudulent activities amongst staff and contractors in the agency.

Mr. Ogie, who was flanked by his Chairman, Chief James Tangbowei and the Public Relations Officer, Prince Charles Ebigbagha, stated that the recent inauguration of a permanent edifice of the commission by Bashorun Askia should be commended by all as part of his efforts to save the commission from paying rents.

“Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh has been a loyal person to PDP, the system, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and also the Chairman of DESOPADEC Hon. Michael Diden alias Ejele. We should also remember that Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh has been a good and trusted person even before Hon. Michael Diden dropped his ambition of being the deputy governor in past two elections.

“DESOPADEC used to rent offices as a commission but the possibility of owning a landed property as office in a large plot of land, putting all management team of DESOPADEC together adequately and putting DESOPADEC in a pride of place were made possible by the good management skills of Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh”, he said.

However, Mr. Ogie warned those fanning the embers of discord against Chief Askia because of politics to desist, noting that this would hinder the objectives for which the commission was established for.

In his contribution, the Chairman of the Forum, Chief James Tangbowwi maintained that all the fake stories about Chief Bashorun Askia were nothing but politics to ridicule and tarnish his image.

He advised Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the incoming Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to see Bashorun Askia Ogieh as a trusted and party loyalist to the core who speaks less but committed to delivering any assignment given to him.

“Even in the recent elections, Bashorun Askia Ogieh was the one that put some of us, far from his local government, to work for Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori ‘s success as the incoming governor of Delta State for which we know much will be achieved if he (Oborevwori) will understand the input of Bashorun Askia”, he noted.

The Public Relations Officer of the Forum, Prince Charles Ebigbagha explained that it was Bashorun Askia Ogieh that engaged indigenous contractors into commencement and finishing of projects through the good structure of monitoring team of the commission.

“We usually have a robust working relationship with the DESOPADEC management and staff. Contractors always communicate with staff during assignment assigned to staff and also having meetings with management when need arises which shows the good knowledge of the system as established by Bashorun Askia Ogieh”, he stated.