Indigenous contractors under the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) have issued a stern ultimatum, threatening to stage a protest over unpaid contracts and the refusal to review existing agreements amidst soaring material costs. The contractors, under the auspices of the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, have set January 24, 2025, as the date for their planned demonstration, following what they describe as failed attempts to resolve their grievances through peaceful dialogue.
Engr. Ogie Samson Oritsebemigho, Chairman of the Forum, stated that the decision to protest comes after numerous unaddressed letters and meetings with DESOPADEC and the Delta State government. He emphasized that contractors have been left struggling with crippling debts and bankruptcy due to accrued loan interests and the skyrocketing costs of project materials. Oritsebemigho lamented the neglect of agreements made by the current DESOPADEC Board and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, which has pushed the contractors to a breaking point.
In a statement titled “Indigenous Contractors Seek Justice/Give Notice For Peaceful Protest Within 14 Days To Commence January 24, 2025,” Oritsebemigho expressed the frustrations of contractors who feel abandoned despite their efforts to support the agency’s success. He recalled earlier promises made by the Governor and DESOPADEC executives to address contractors’ concerns within three months, a pledge that remains unfulfilled.
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The contractors argue that their plight is not only impacting their businesses but also the well-being of oil-rich communities in Delta State. They question the transparency of funds, particularly the federal government’s 13% derivation allocation to the state. According to Prince Charles Ebigbagha, Secretary of the Forum, DESOPADEC initially operated efficiently, with contractors being mobilized and promptly paid, staff receiving 13-month salaries, and traditional rulers benefiting from the system. However, he lamented that the current administration has deviated from this path, leaving contractors and communities in dire straits.
The contractors have called on Governor Oborevwori to intervene urgently and address their concerns before the protest date. They also demanded clarity on whether the delay in payments and contract reviews stems from the Governor’s office or the DESOPADEC management. “We want to know if the Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is punishing indigenous contractors or if the issue lies with DESOPADEC’s management,” Ebigbagha questioned.
Christopher Evwarhono, a member of the Forum, urged contractors to turn out en masse for the protest, emphasizing that their objective is not to cause chaos but to draw attention to their plight. He called for a friendly and timely intervention by the state government to avert further economic hardship in Delta’s oil-rich communities.
