The Executive Director, Projects, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Ebenezer Okorodudu, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to inclusive development across oil-producing communities in Delta State.
Dr. Okorodudu gave the assurance on Monday, March 16, 2026, at the Commission’s headquarters in Warri while receiving leaders of the Owevwe Community Development Committee, representing seven communities—Owevwe, Saniko, Gana, Agbaide, Ughere, Otokutu, and Opherin in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the DESOPADEC Board Chairman, John Obukokwho Nani, Okorodudu commended the communities for embracing dialogue in pressing their demands for people-oriented projects. He disclosed that he had been mandated by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Festus Ochonogor, to engage with the communities and relay their concerns to the Commission’s management and board for appropriate action.
“The Commission remains open to dialogue with every community to find amicable solutions. Your demands are legitimate, especially as host to one of the richest oil assets in the Niger Delta. We will ensure your concerns are properly presented so your communities are carried along in our development agenda,” he stated.
Earlier, Roland Ufuoma Oyibo, legal counsel to the communities, speaking on behalf of the leadership, decried what he described as years of neglect, despite the communities' contributions as hosts of the OML 30 Eriemu Oil Fields. He called for a fair share of the 13 percent oil derivation fund, noting that the communities had yet to benefit from employment opportunities, infrastructure, or empowerment initiatives since the establishment of DESOPADEC.
He presented a comprehensive list of demands, including employment for indigenes, construction and rehabilitation of roads and markets, provision of teachers’ quarters and corpers’ lodge, installation of transformers and solar-powered water systems, as well as electrification and drainage projects across the affected communities.
Oyibo emphasised that previous efforts at engagement had yielded few results, urging the Commission to seize the current dialogue as an opportunity to foster mutual understanding, unity, and sustainable development in the oil-producing areas.
The visit featured the formal presentation of the community’ s letter of demand to Dr. Okorodudu by the Committee Chairman, Mr. Ibebe O. Mathew. Community leaders and senior DESOPADEC officials were also in attendance, signalling what stakeholders hope will mark a turning point in relations between the Commission and the host communities.
