By Akpos Oje
Delta Fresh Vision has declared that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) stands at the very heart of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda, dismissing insinuations that the interventionist agency had been pushed aside.
In a statement signed by its Acting Chairman, Wilberforce Arinze, and Public Relations Officer, Grace Akaighe, the group described as “mischievous and unfounded” claims that DESOPADEC was being neglected in favour of broader state-wide programmes.
According to Delta Fresh Vision, the Commission was legally established to drive the socio-economic transformation of oil-bearing communities, with equal representation across Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko, Ndokwa, and Ika ethnic nationalities.
They noted that, under Oborevwori, DESOPADEC has been fully integrated into the state’s M.O.R.E Agenda, making tangible impact in infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing, security, environmental management, and human capital development.
The group listed over 60 road and jetty projects already delivered across the oil-producing belts, alongside new health centres at Egbokodo, Ugbori, Ode-Itsekiri, and Orugbo, and upgrades at Koko General Hospital, Egberide, and Utagba-Uno.
In housing, more than 50 bungalows have been built in communities including Oboghoro, Ajansan, Ogheye-Egboroke, Kokodiagbene, and Tuomo. In education, over 55 schools have been renovated or newly constructed, such as Iwere College, Beach Secondary School, and Azama Zion Primary School, with modern ICT facilities also introduced.
Other interventions highlighted include expanded electricity access, provision of transformers, solar-powered street lights, and improved water supply. On security and the environment, the Commission has invested in canalization, shore wall construction, desilting, as well as new police stations and staff quarters.
Delta Fresh Vision also pointed to the DESOPADEC Skills Academy, which has trained thousands of youths and women in ICT, welding, catering, fashion, and other trades, with beneficiaries receiving starter packs, cash grants, and work tools. Entrepreneurs received N500,000 each, while women were supported with N100,000 and equipment ranging from laptops and generators to ovens and sewing machines.
The group further commended Governor Oborevwori for being the first governor to extend the enhanced minimum wage to DESOPADEC workers, describing it as a morale-booster and a sign of commitment to institutional stability.
It equally applauded the Commission’s leadership, Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor, and Chairman, Chief John Nani, for driving the Governor’s vision, recalling that the Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCOM) had earlier in the year passed a vote of confidence on the management.
Delta Fresh Vision, therefore, urged the public to disregard what it called “false narratives” from detractors, insisting that DESOPADEC remains central and firmly on course in advancing the M.O.R.E Agenda for oil-bearing communities.
