Contractors under the umbrella of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality Contractors’ Forum in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, have cried out over what they described as "obnoxious" the "Board's style or system of operation" in its selective and non-payment of contractors, labeling the present Commission's leadership as worst ever.

The Forum's expressed its concerns in a letter titled 'Our Position Over The Program And Activities Of DESOPADEC In The Non- And Or Paltry Payment Of Contractors (A Call For Restraint)' that was addressed to the Managing Director/ CEO of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor, and that was signed by the Forum's Chairman, Pastor (Hon.) Ako Samuel; Secretary, Hon. Akiefa Godspower, and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Felix Osaine.

In the letter, which has copies made to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; the Chairman, all Executive Directors and all Ethnic Nationality Commissioners of the Commission, the aggrieved Forum members reminded the DESOPADEC's MD that the agitations against the marginalization of host communities that led to the birth of the Commission and 13% Derivation Fund is still much active.

The letter reads in part: "We are DESOPADEC Ijaw ethnic Nationality contractors’ forum and leaders representing our oil and gas producing communities. Mr. Managing Director, it is pertinent to let you know the brief history of the Commission in case you have forgotten that this DESOPADEC Board, of which you are the present Managing Director today, was established as a result of serious persistent protests, including armed struggles by the oil and gas bearing communities over marginalization, neglect, economic deprivation, etc., by the Nigerian Government regarding our oil mineral resources. This brought about the struggle for resource control by Niger Deltans, and the embers of it have not died.

"It is, therefore, common knowledge and a known fact that when the Commission was established in 2006, its primary purpose, as spelled out in the law, is to cater for the welfare and well-being of the oil and gas-bearing communities through the instrumentality of the 13% Revenue Derivation Funds from the Federal Government accruing to the state, of which 50% is used by the Board to develop the oil-bearing communities in the state."

While kicking against the style of operation by the Board and the introduction of cabals in respect of payment, they labeled the current leadership as worst in reference to previous boards that were mobilizing contractors upfront.

"It is also noteworthy to further inform you that this present Board's style or system of operation is so obnoxious that it has become a game of selective payment of contractors in the name of one cabal or the other, deciding whose contractor will be paid or not, thereby trading with the Commission’s funds and our common destinies.

"The Board should know that the pains and souls lost during the struggle and the roadmap to the enactment of the 13% Derivation, as contained in the Nigerian Constitution, which is accruing to the oil-producing states in the Niger Delta, vis-à-vis the establishment of DESOPADEC, is not a bed of roses.

"It is also important to let you know that previous boards were mobilizing contractors with 25% provision to execute their projects, specifically the pioneer Board in 2006, saving them from the danger of huge debt burden.

"This present board is seen as the worst board that refuses to pay their contractors. The excuse of "no money has come," "the Governor has not paid," or "there is no money for the payment of contractors, we are waiting for the Governor to pay" is no longer acceptable. Very soon, we shall come with details and unveil all monies paid by the Governor to the Commission, whether it is enough to pay contractors or not," the Forum revealed.

Going forward, the aggrieved Forum of Ijaw Contractors stated, "We wish to further inform you that our communities are highly agitated over this non-payment of contractors, which has resulted in many uncompleted and projects in our communities. In view of the above, we therefore state as follows:

"1. For Equity and fairness, we demand that all Ijaw ethnic contractors certificates due for payment should moderated through our forum based on production quota.

"2. All payments for Ijaw ethnic nationality contractors should be done through the Executive Director Social Services and commissioner representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality on the Board in line with our production quota.

"3. The non-payment of contractors and/or paltry payments is unacceptable and must therefore stop, as it is a gross violation of the purpose for which the Commission was established.

"4. All outstanding certificates raised must be paid in full.

"5. No paltry payment will be accepted.

"6. We demand that you go back to the status quo ante bellum by mobilizing contractors with 25% provision to execute their projects henceforth."

While commending the Governor Oborevwori led government fir its infrastructural drive across the State, they appealed to the Governor to prevail on the Board to do the needful while they also warned that the "clock is already ticking and the drums are beating."

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