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One Year Anniversary: DESOPADEC Officials Storm Ogulagha, Iduwini Kingdoms In Delta State, Commission Projects
As Communities Appreciate Agediga for influening projects
TRACKING____Officials of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) led by its Managing Director (MD) Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh stormed oil rich Ogulagha and Iduwini Kingdoms, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State to commision projects embarked upon by DESOPADEC.
The projects which were commissioned by the Management and Board Members of the commision at Odimodi and Sokebolou communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State was done as part of activities marking the Commission’s one year anniversary.
The projects commissioned include reconstruction of Sokebolou community Townhall, Radio House and the Renovation of Odimodi four units market house as well as public toilet.
In his speech, Managing Director (MD), DESOPADEC, Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh while lauding the people of Sokebolou community for the entertainment and warm reception given to the delegation also heaped praises on the Executive Director (ED), Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), DESOPADEC who hails from Sokebolou community in Ogulagha Kingdom for being one of the most kind and industrious Niger Deltan he has ever met in recent times.
While commending the contractor for the speedy completion of the Town Hall and Radio House projects in Sokebolou, Chief Askia promised to work collectively with both the Management and Board Members of the commision to see that all DESOPADEC jobs in the community and beyond gets the needed attention that will lead to speedy completion.
However, in reeling out his euphoria of happiness, the DESOPADEC MD, Chief Bashorun in addressing other developmental needs of the community presented by the member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi and Chairman of Sokebolou Community, Prince Churchill Dose had vowed to return back to Sokebolou in no distant time to commision other projects that will be beneficial to the community.
Chief Ogieh noted that DESOPADEC will not only deal with the Sokebolou Health Center Project but stated that he is hopeful that the team will come to the community to commision the health center with Doctors and Nurses to work on the facility to carter for the health needs of the people.
Speaking further, Askia explained that DESOPADEC is fully ready for the ongoing canalization project of Sokebolou Obotobo waterway, stressing that there is no going back as they hope to see the speedy completion of the project.
In his words: “As a Commision, we appreciates Sokebolou community for the warm reception, in recent times, I have never met a kind hearted and resourceful person in the whole of Niger Delta like Amb. Comr. Shedrack Agediga, ED, PRS, DESOPADEC. I know that in no distant time, we will come back to this community to commision health center with doctor and nurses, i commend the contractor for the speedy completion, more development will come to Sokebolou and Ogulagha Kingdom”.
Meanwhile, on his part, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi particularly appreciated His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for leaving behind legacies that will stand the test of time in Sokebolou and Ogulagha Kingdom.
Hon. Pondi stated that it will be unfair not to appreciate all the good works of Governor Okowa for breaking records by remembering Ogulagha Kingdom with lots of developmental legacies, stressing that Sokebolou community and other communities in Ogulagha kingdom will always be grateful and indebted to the Governor.
Speaking further, he said it was during the administration of Governor Okowa that made it possible for the first time despite the oil producing status of Ogulagha Kingdom for a son of Ogulagha to represent the people of Burutu Local Government Area in the house of representatives.
The federal lawmaker also commended the DESOPADEC MD for trusting Amb. Shedrack Agediga, ED, PRS, DESOPADEC by influencing such projects to his people, explaining that if not for the magnanimity of Askia and other officials of the commision, it would not have been an easy ride for Agediga and the Commisioner to complete such projects within a space of one year with others ongoing and yet to commence.
The statement by Chairman of Sokebolou Community in Ogulagha Kingdom, Prince Churchill Dose read in full below:
“On behalf of the wonderful people of Sokebolou community, we count it a rare privilege to welcome the board and management of the DELTA state oil producing areas development commission (DESOPADEC) under the distinguished leadership of Hon.Apostle MMichael Diden for commissioning one of its kind modern town hall at Sokebolou town.
“Please permit me to congratulate you and your wonderful team for achieving such a great feat in one year in office once again congratulations sir.
“Suffice to say this is the first time Sokebolou community is playing host to DESOPADEC despite being a critical stakeholder in the oil and gas sector of our state and the country’s economy with onshore and offshore facilities, flowstations, gas lift stations, numerous onshore and offshore wellheads,manifolds and platforms etc. Yet we have never been privileged and worthy of any commensurate compensation either in project developments and appointments
“We would like to specifically appreciate HIS EXCELLENCY SENATOR DR IFEANYI A .OKOWA the executive Governor of DELTA, the board and management of DESOPADEC under the chairmanship of Hon. Apostle Michael Diden and managing Director Chief BASHORUN ASKIA OGIEH (FCNA, CIFA) for:
1.Reconstruction /furnishing Sokebolou town hail /Radio House
2.The canalization/Dredging of Obotobo Sokebolou waterways which is almost at 85%of it’s clearing stage .
3.The approval of the construction of Health care center at Sokebolou even though the project is yet to commence we have confidence in the present DESOPADEC BOARD to bring it to limelight. We are indeed grateful.
Among all these ,there is still more to be done. Like the proverbial Oliver Twist ask for more, however we would like to appeal for:
1.Comprehensive drainage system of about 2km to Savage the community of incessant flooding during the rainy season in the community.
2.Electrification extension from existing power source to different parts of the community
3 Nurses and Doctors
4.Science laboratory
5.Corps member lodge etc
“Again permit me to appreciate the contractor of this project SPLENDOR GLOBAL SERVICES, an indigene of Sokebolou community for a job well done, it is very commendable. We therefore recommend him for subsequent projects.
“We would like to crave your indulgence that Sokebolou community is a very peaceful community, reasons why when the volatility and the hostility was at its peak in NIGER DELTA which led to the destruction of oil and gas facilities in different parts of our States. Our facilities were intact! As a result SPDC divest and sold off their onshore Assets but yet choose to retain the Assets in Sokebolou and Ogulagha kingdom at large. We are proud host of SPDC ,CHEVRON,AGIP AND BRITTIANIA – U etc.
“This address will not be complete without acknowledging the efforts of our illustrious sons, RT. Hon.JULIUS G.PONDI , member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, house of Representatives and COMR AMB. SHEDRACK AGEDIGA, executive director planning research and statistics,DESOPADEC for making the new phase of Sokebolou a reality.
“Once again,we welcome you and your team sir and everyone here present to this conspicuous occasion sincerely believing more of this kind in the near future.God bless you all”. The statement asserted.
Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Commisioner representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality on the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission DESOPADEC while giving the vote of thanks on behalf of the commision had appreciated members and leaders of Sokebolou for the warm reception, adding that the commision had heard their plea as DESOPADEC will equally reciprocate in similar manner.
It would be recalled that the Sokebolou Community Town Hall was not only renovated by DESOPADEC but was also furnished together with the Radio House.
Dignitaries present during the occasion include Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Representatives; Some of the DESOPADEC officials that graced the commissioning were Managing Director (MD), Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh; Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Chairman House Committee on DESOPADEC; Chief Barr. John Nani , ED. Finance and Administration (FA); Amb. Comr. Shedrack Agediga, ED, PRS, DESOPADEC; Barr. Leonard Anoka, ED, Social Services; Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Commisioner representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality (DESOPADEC); Hon. Gibson Omasuli, Commissioner Representing, Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality DESOPADEC; PDP Chairman, Isoko North, Mr. Godspower; Department and units heads of DESOPADEC.
Other prominent leaders from Sokebolou that were present during the historic occasion include Chief Williams Igere, Bolouwei Of Ogulagha Kingdom; Chief Steve Okwanze; Chief Isaiah Ibilou; Pa Fullpower Pondi; Mr. Churhill Dose, Engr. Moses Ibilou; Chief T. M .O Douglas; Chief Larry Adenike; Chief Ogah Alaye, Comr. Austin Ozobo, President Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) among other women, youths and various categories of leaders across Delta State that thronged out in their numbers to grace the occasion.
A special cultural troupe was organised to thrill the political leaders with magnificent dance steps.
