By Francis Sadhere/Stella Peredu
The Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Olorogun Williams Makinde has threatened to sack any staff who uses his name to perpetuate corrupt practices in the commission.
The DESOPADEC Managing Director stated this when he played host to DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum who paid him a courtesy call to notify him about their planned protest to demand that all outstanding certificates are paid in full.
The DESOPADEC boss who said he was worried by rumours going round that some staff of the commission are alleged to be collecting ten percent from the contractors, advised the contractors to report any staff who tries to collect bribe from them to him and vowed that such staff will be showed the way out of the commission to serve as deterrent to others.
Olorogun Makinde expressed his gratitude to the Forum for coming to him first before embarking on their proposed protest, assuring the contractors that their monies will be paid immediately the budget of the Commission was approved by the State House of Assembly.
He explained to the contractors that the delay over their payment was as a result of the economic situation in the country, calling on them to be patient with the commission as the State Government was also worried about their plight.
While assuring the contractors that their monies are going to be paid soon, Olorogun Makinde informed the contractors that the commission is set to employ the services of external hands to help with the verification of jobs done, adding that contracts that are completed 80 percent and above will be given first priority.
Earlier, the Chairman of DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, Mr. Francis Obule, while briefing the DESOPADEC boss on their mission, demanded for full budgetary provision for all ongoing and completed projects.
Mr. Obule lamented that accumulated bank interest was giving the contractors headache as they have no means of paying back interests being demanded by their banks,adding that contractors are dying in silence as banks and their creditors were after their property.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting,Mr. Obule described the meeting as a very fruitful one, commending the DESOPADEC boss for promising to pay them their monies as soon as possible.
He also thanked Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for listening to the cries of the contractors and making sure that they get their money soon.
