The Indigenous Contractors Forum operating with the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) today staged a peaceful protest as they urged Delta State Governor, Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa to make payments for completed projects in the past two years as well as fully implement the law establishing DESOPADEC, DAILY POST is reporting.
Speaking on behalf of the protesting contractors, Comrade Obule stated that the protest became necessary following the retrieval of their property used as collateral for loans by commercial banks.
Obule lamented that for the past two years, they have not received payment for projects executed just as he called on the Delta State Government to intervene and make payment as soon as possible.
While noting that the State Government has not effected any payments this year, Obule said, “We demand for adequate funding of the Commission. We demand for payment of completed/ongoing projects. We insist that 2015/2016 budget should be used to pay completed/ongoing projects executed. As at today, the Commission owes her contractors up to the tune of about N11 billion (Eleven Billion Naira) this amount be released forthwith.”
In a quick response, Acting Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro appealed to the contractors to be patient just as he assured them that Government would give attention to their complaints and do the needful, stressing that, Government is not unaware of the plights of unpaid DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors.”
Barr. Otuaro noted that the State Government would soon hold private meeting with the contractors and the Commission towards making some payments.
Addressing the Contractors at the Delta State House of Assembly, DTHA, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori said that they are aware of the plight of unpaid contractors in the State.
He stated that the effect of dwindling resources on the government had resulted in its inability to offset the backlog of debts owed contractors, adding that as things get better, the issue would be given priority attention.
“We have listened to your complaints. Your coming will spur us to ensure timely intervention. Once things get better, your interest will be given priority. Certainly, we won’t forget you.”
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