A group of Deltans under the aegis of Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Supplies and Maintenance Contractors Forum, has urged the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa to approved the payment of over One Hundred Million naira owed contractors to save them from dying.
In a letter signed by Ekpagha Onoriode and Omatsali Ogharandukun, Chairman and Secretary, respectively, on behalf of the group, they alleged that the said One Hundred Million was the balance of contract and services rendered to DESOPADEC between 2007 and 2009.
They said the intervention agency had failed to pay in spite of the huge cry from members of high rate of interest that accrued from loan taken from bank and other financial agencies.
According to the group, “We are pained once again to bring this issue to the press but we have no option than to cry out to our governor for assistance before all our members will be forced to meet their ancestors as a result of debt on them.
“So many of our members have died without enjoying their labour, some are in the hospital while some have been incapacitated. “We have made several efforts to meet the Management of DESOPADEC all to no avail. However, at our last meeting with management, we were reliably informed that it is only Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, our amiable governor that can pay us this money due to the current financial status of the commission.
“We hereby use this singular opportunity to appeal to Governor Okowa to use his good offices to pay us the outstanding one hundred million naira owed us by DESOPADEC. Our members are dying. Please Governor save us from early grave and pay us.
“You are our last hope as we pray God to touch your heart and give you the enablement to meet our demand,” the statement noted.
It added that “the commission was set up to serve the people of the oil producing areas of the state from the 13% derivation from crude oil income to ameliorate the hardship, bring succor and development to the people.
“Hence the commission should do everything within its powers to live up to its responsibility and not to bring pains on the people.”
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