By Francis Sadhere, Warri
The DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum has dissociated itself from a planned protest allegedly being organised by some persons who claim to be contractors of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
The forum, in a statement titled “Refutal/Disclaimer to an Illegal Protest by Some Unknown Persons,” signed by its Chairman, Engr. Ogie Samson, and Secretary, Prince Charles Ebigbagha, said the individuals behind the planned protest were not members of the forum.
It urged the general public, DESOPADEC management and security agencies to disregard the planned action, describing the organisers as unknown persons who were allegedly attempting to use the name of contractors for political purposes.
According to the statement, the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum comprises contractors from various ethnic nationalities in the oil-producing areas of Delta State, adding that it was not aware of any other recognised body of contractors liaising with the interventionist agency.
“The DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum wants to notify the general public, the DESOPADEC management and security agencies that we are not a party to any planned protest to the commission by some unknown persons,” the statement said.
The forum called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the identities and motives of those planning the protest, alleging that the action could be politically motivated and aimed at undermining the political process of the state government.
It further alleged that some individuals with political interests different from those of the state government were sponsoring people to create tension within the commission.
The contractors’ body also alleged that some persons claiming to be contractors were being mobilised to stage the protest, insisting that they were not genuine members of the forum.
The forum said it had a cordial relationship with the DESOPADEC board and management and had no reason to confront the commission over its activities.
It, however, acknowledged that its members were awaiting the second batch of backlog payments promised by the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
The forum alleged that some individuals were currently seeking contractors’ certificates and other documents which, according to it, could be used to give credibility to what it described as a politically motivated protest.
It therefore appealed to security agencies to investigate the matter and identify those allegedly planning to cause a crisis at the commission.
The forum said any genuine disagreement between its members and DESOPADEC management could be resolved through dialogue, stressing that the commission’s Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor, and Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chief Kome Okpobor, remained accessible to contractors.
It particularly commended Okpobor for what it described as his open-door policy, saying his office was accessible to contractors, staff and visitors.
The forum also praised Ochonogor for his accessibility and urged its members to continue to use established channels of communication in addressing issues concerning contractors.
The DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum has dissociated itself from a planned protest allegedly being organised by some persons who claim to be contractors of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
The forum, in a statement titled “Refutal/Disclaimer to an Illegal Protest by Some Unknown Persons,” signed by its Chairman, Engr. Ogie Samson, and Secretary, Prince Charles Ebigbagha, said the individuals behind the planned protest were not members of the forum.
It urged the general public, DESOPADEC management and security agencies to disregard the planned action, describing the organisers as unknown persons who were allegedly attempting to use the name of contractors for political purposes.
According to the statement, the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum comprises contractors from various ethnic nationalities in the oil-producing areas of Delta State, adding that it was not aware of any other recognised body of contractors liaising with the interventionist agency.
“The DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum wants to notify the general public, the DESOPADEC management and security agencies that we are not a party to any planned protest to the commission by some unknown persons,” the statement said.
The forum called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the identities and motives of those planning the protest, alleging that the action could be politically motivated and aimed at undermining the political process of the state government.
It further alleged that some individuals with political interests different from those of the state government were sponsoring people to create tension within the commission.
The contractors’ body also alleged that some persons claiming to be contractors were being mobilised to stage the protest, insisting that they were not genuine members of the forum.
The forum said it had a cordial relationship with the DESOPADEC board and management and had no reason to confront the commission over its activities.
It, however, acknowledged that its members were awaiting the second batch of backlog payments promised by the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
The forum alleged that some individuals were currently seeking contractors’ certificates and other documents which, according to it, could be used to give credibility to what it described as a politically motivated protest.
It therefore appealed to security agencies to investigate the matter and identify those allegedly planning to cause a crisis at the commission.
The forum said any genuine disagreement between its members and DESOPADEC management could be resolved through dialogue, stressing that the commission’s Managing Director, Chief Festus Ochonogor, and Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chief Kome Okpobor, remained accessible to contractors.
It particularly commended Okpobor for what it described as his open-door policy, saying his office was accessible to contractors, staff and visitors.
The forum also praised Ochonogor for his accessibility and urged its members to continue to use established channels of communication in addressing issues concerning contractors.
