By Francis Sadhere
The Executive Director, Projects, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Philip Gbasin has said that the commission is set develop sustainability plan for all projects to be executed in communities, adding that this will ensure that communities take charge of any project executed in their areas.
The Executive Director made this statement yesterday at his Office in Warri, Delta State while playing host to members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Warri North Local Government Area of the state.
“Currently the Directorate of Project is developing what we call sustainability plan for all our projects to make sure that all projects to be executed meets the needs of the communities and not only their wants. These projects must be identified by the communities so that they are carried along from inception to completion,” Gbasin said.
Gbasin said that henceforth, all projects to be executed in any community must come from the people themselves, adding that the people must take responsibility for all projects that will be sited in their communities.
While noting that all DESOPADEC projects are for the people, the new Executive Director urged all communities to always protect all projects that will be executed by DESOPADEC in their communities.
He said: “As you leave here today I want you to go out there and create the awareness that every project that will be executed by DESOPADEC is for the people. The people must take ownership of these projects because that is the only we can talk about sustainable development. If communities continue to see these projects as government projects then we cannot move forward.
“The communities must continue to see these projects as their own. They must not wait for government to carry out minor repairs that they can do themselves. It is not every minor repair that they will be calling on government to come and do for them.
He said the new administration in DESOPADEC will make sure that all communities are carried along when any project is to be executed, promising that the commission will meet the needs of all oil bearing communities as community ownership is key to the success of the commission.
Earlier, Chairman of PDP, Warri North, John Okorolokor, who led the delegation, said they were there to congratulate and facilitate with the new Executive Director of Projects, DESOPADEC, adding that they are proud of Gbasin.
They commended the state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for appointing one their own as a director in DESOPADEC, stressing that Mr. Gbasin will not disappoint the people of Warri North.
Okorolokor, also appealed to Mr. Gbasin not to neglect his party, the PDP, adding that he should always carry the party members along as it was through the support of the party members that he got the position he is now.
While saying that the new DESOPADEC will achieve great height, he urged Mr. Gbasin to bring his wealth of experience to bare in the development of the riverine areas.
