Communities Appreciates Agediga For Influencing Projects
The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, on Wednesday commissioned executed projects in Iduwini and Ogulagha Kingdoms, in marking the one year in office of the present administration.
The DESOPADEC team ably led by its Managing Director, Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh officially commissioned the projects in Odimodi in Iduwini kingdom and Sokebulou in Ogulagha kindom, both in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
One Year in Office: Welemu Hails Agediga Over People Centered Service Delivery
The commissioned projects are; the reconstruction of a modern community Townhall alongside a Radio House in Sokenulou, and the Renovation of a four units market house with a public toilet in Odimodi community.
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In his welcome address, the Chairman of Sokebulou, Prince Churchil Dose commended the DESOPADEC team for siting a project of such magnitude in the community.
Mr Churchill lamented that Sokebluou community had long been cut off from the developmental plans of every tier of government and previous boards of DESOPADEC, despite being a massive contributor to the economies of both the state and the federation.
While commmending the DESOPADEC team led by Chief Bashorun Askia, the Chairman stated the community’s need for basic infrastructures such as drainage systems for proper channeling of water during the rainy season, health workers, electrification, a Corpers lodge and more.
He emphasized and lauded the graceful intervention of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in marking out Sokebulou to be a beneficiary of projects in his administration.
His statement reads in parts;
“The unfortunate fact is that successive DESOPADEC boards did not deem it fit to allocate any project to Sokebolou community, if not for the gracious intervention of HIS EXCELLENCY SENATOR DR .IFEANYI A.OKOWA, the executive Governor of DELTA state and the present board of DESOPADEC headed by HON.APOSTLE MICHEAL DIDEN and the amiable managing director CHIEF BASHORUN ASKIA OGIEH which resulted to this beautiful Town Hall / Radio House.
“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
In underlining the peaceful nature of the community, the Chairman said;
“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.
He further commended Hon Julius Pondi, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, and the Executive Director for Planning, Research and Statistics, Comrade Shedrack Agediga for thier great roles in influencing the projects.
On his part, Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for erecting legacies that will stand the test of time in Sokebolou community and Ogulagha Kingdom at large.
Pondi stated that it will be unfair not to appreciate all the good works of Governor Okowa for breaking records in 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.
While speaking, the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Chief Bashorun Askia Ogieh lauded the people for the entertainment and warm reception the team received.
He particularly singled-out Shedrack Agediga, who is an indigene of Sokebukou for commendation, describing him as “the kindest and finest gentleman” he has seen in recent times.
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.
He stressed that the commission is fully ready for the ongoing canalization project of Sokebolou-Obotobo waterway, saying there is no going back as they hope to see the speedy completion of the project.
The DESOPADEC MD vowed to return back to the community in no distant time to commision the Sokebolou Health Center Project, alongside a doctors/nurses quarters to carter for the health needs of the people.
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 abd more development will come to Sokebolou and Ogulagha Kingdom”.
Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Commisioner representing Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the DESOPADEC board, further 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.
Notable dignitaries that graced 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.
Prominent leaders from Sokebolou that were present 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 DESOPADEC team and other visitors with magnificent dance steps.
