The Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI) has called on Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene in the ongoing crisis between the Delta State Oil Producing and Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and indigenous contractors over the lingering issue of non-payment for jobs executed.
The group in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, said this feud has been brewing for some time, with the contractors threatening to protest and picket DESOPADEC offices if the matter isn’t resolved.
The group said the contractors have been seeking for Gov. Oborevwori’s intervention in addressing the non-payment of contractors by the commission for contracts duly awarded and executed, coupled with increasing bank debit charges for loans obtained by the affected contractors.
“It is shameful and disappointing that the governor has remained mute about the outcry of the DESOPADEC contractors. He is expected to play a mediatory role if DESOPADEC is truly an independent state interventionist agency.
“But in this case, the governor is automatically involved in the imbroglio because there is no independence in the affairs of the commission.
“I don’t think Delta State is too poor to an extent it can’t pay for petty contracts. If it is inherited debts, he should talk to them on how such debts can be cleared in no distant time.
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“Maybe the debts were owed by the previous administration and he doesn’t want to pay. But he should be reminded that he was part of the previous administration, and the previous administration bankrolled him to be the governor of the state, so why will he not pay such debts.
“We are worried about whether DESOPADEC is still getting 50 percent of the 13 percent derivation in Delta State. If it is getting it, I believe there would be more funds for the commission to service all these contractors debts and award more contracts.
“I am suspecting that there is something fishy in the commission, hence the commission is epileptic and suffering from oratory-cancer.
“It is our humble appeal that the governor should endeavour to address the aggrieved contractors to avoid an escalation of the matter.
“If it is not resolved, we will mobilise civil society organisations in the state in solidarity to join the proposed protest to cripple activities of the commission,” the group said.
