Members Of DESOPADEC Board Visit Ijaw Traditional Rulers’ Council, Receive Royal Blessings

By Sunday Onye, senior correspondent

Following the inauguration of the new Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, the Executive Director of Social Services, Chief Favour Izoukumor and Commissioner representing Ijaw Nationality, Hon. Spencer Okubo Okpoye, have paid a familiarization visited to the Ijaw Traditional Rulers’ Council in Warri on the 8th August, 2023.

According to the board’s members, the visit was to familiarize with the Ijaw Traditional Rulers’ Council led by His Royal Majesty, Elder Capt. Joseph I. Timiyan, the Ebenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom.

However, the board conveyed its heartfelt appreciation to Ijaw Forum of Traditional Rulers for its unalloyed support towards the electoral victory of the governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori in the 2023 governorship election.

The executive director, Izoukumor and the Ijaw commissioner, Okpoye seek for unity and working collaboration of stakeholders for effective performance of the commission.

The executive director of social services, chief Izoukumor while responding to questions on payment of contractors of the commission stated, “Of course all of us know that paucity of fund is not only synonymous to DESOPADEC interventionist agency and that is why we are praying that Delta State should have more 13 percent derivation and that can only be possible with unhindered productions of crude oil from various oil producing communities.

He said, “To my best of knowledge the commission has tried, though am aware that it is not enough, not that the commission is not paying contractors at all. Our approach by God grace, we will try our best to see that payment of contractors will be prioritised because if contractors are not encouraged by payment, the execution of contract which is the primary mandate of the commission will be defeated. So we will do everything to see that once funds are available we will prioritise payment of contractors”.

The traditional rulers who were present at the visit were, HRM, Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan , PhD.
The Ebenana-owei of Ogulagha Kingdom and Chiarman, Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, HRM. Pere S.P Luke Kalanama VIII – The Pere of Akugbene Mein- Kingdom – 1st Vice Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM – Pere Charles Ayemibotu – OFR – Paramount Ruler and Pere, Seimbiri Kingdom, HRM Couple Oromoni Mobene II – Pere Amakoso of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, HRM Johnbull Polokowei, Ongolo 1st – Pere of Ogbolubiri Kingdom.

Others were, HRM , Jackson Foubiriowei Angalabiri Egbain II – The Ebenana-owei of Kunbowei Kingdom, HRM, Dr. Ekioemi Oweiagbe – The Ebenana-owei of Oporomo Kingdom, HRM , Pere (Amb) Meshack E.A Ubabiri – The Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, Bini Pere IV, HRM. Dr. Danladi Owuopere, Agulu 1st
Ebenana-owei of Tariki Kingdom and HRM (Barr). Erebulu Aduo III – The Pere of Kabowei Kingdom – Secretary, Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum and other leaders and traditional chiefs too numerous to mention.

The Ijaw representatives in the DESOPADEC board, Izoukumor and Okpoye commended the Royal Fathers for their immense contributions toward the development of Ijaw Nation in Delta, adding that their contributions birthed interventionist agencies like DESOPADEC, NDDC and others at the regional level.

In the address of the ED – Social Services DESOPADEC and Commissioner, Ijaw Nationality had pledged their loyalty and readiness to work in synergy with the traditional rulers and others with laudable ideas that would help build capacity in the commission.

The board further seek royal blessings and advice to help them discharge their duties effectively while in office.

In response, the Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum chaired by HRM Elder Capt. Joseph I. Timiyan, The Ebenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRM ST Luke – Kalanama Viii, The Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, Vice Chairman, Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum and other traditional rulers also commended the Ijaw representatives for the timely visit.

The traditional rulers urged the Ijaw representatives to go round in consultation with leaders of mandate areas on the kind of infrastructures the people may need before awarding projects that may not most crucial to such communities.

Meantime, the royal fathers stressed on the need for awarding contracts to capable contractors and proper monitoring of projects to the stage of completion.

The statement reads, “this appeal is as a result of the too many abandoned projects in the oil producing communities with reasons not too far from negligence on the part of the commission in questioning and monitoring of contractors or issues of funding.

The Ijaw traditional rulers called for regular interface as to build confidence and address salient issues of the development of Ijaw Nation, regarding the oil producing communities in Delta State.

The Ijaw nationality commissioner Okpoye who gave vote of thanks, pledged to provide the best services to the mandate areas and stakeholders, leaders and traditional rulers.