By Francis Sadhere, Warri
Stakeholders, academics and investors have emphasized the need for sustained peace in oil-producing communities to accelerate growth and economic development within the mandate areas of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
They stressed that a peaceful and conducive environment remains critical to attracting investors, promoting cultural harmony and ensuring sustainable development among the various ethnic groups hosting oil and gas activities in Delta State.
The stakeholders made their positions known during a peace concert and end-of-year party organised by the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, held over the weekend in Warri.
Speaking at the event, participants highlighted tolerance, innovation, peaceful coexistence and the strategic use of technology as key drivers for sustainable development in the oil-producing areas of the state.
One of the guest speakers, Dr. Alfred Mulade, former Registrar of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, urged investors—particularly indigenous contractors—to embrace modern technology to enhance their productivity and overall developmental impact.
He advised members of the forum to explore opportunities beyond DESOPADEC contracts by partnering with technological institutions and investing in emerging sectors.
“The DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum should collaborate with technological bodies to sustain its relevance. Depending solely on contracts from DESOPADEC will not be enough; there are vast opportunities in the technology sector,” Mulade said.
Also speaking, Professor Sunny Awhefeada of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, underscored the importance of cultural harmony among the state’s diverse ethnic groups, including the Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw and others. He noted that meaningful development in the DESOPADEC mandate areas could only be achieved through unity and mutual understanding among the various communities.
Other academics at the event echoed similar views, calling for peaceful coexistence, as well as continuous training and retraining of forum members to improve capacity and professionalism.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, Engr. Ogie Samson, said the peace concert was part of the forum’s initiatives to promote unity and development across the commission’s mandate areas.
He described the event as timely, noting that it was aimed at strengthening unity, encouraging dialogue and fostering a peaceful environment conducive to economic growth and sustainable development in oil-producing communities.
The Secretary of the forum, Prince Ebigbagha Charles, commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the release of funds to DESOPADEC to offset outstanding debt arrears owed to contractors, describing the gesture as a major boost to indigenous businesses.
The event featured colourful cultural displays by Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw and Kwale groups, reflecting the rich diversity of the state. Awards of excellence were also presented to the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochornogho; the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chief Oghenekome Okpobor; and the Secretary of the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, Prince Ebigbagha Charles, in recognition of their contributions to development in the oil-producing areas of Delta State.
Stakeholders, academics and investors have emphasized the need for sustained peace in oil-producing communities to accelerate growth and economic development within the mandate areas of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
They stressed that a peaceful and conducive environment remains critical to attracting investors, promoting cultural harmony and ensuring sustainable development among the various ethnic groups hosting oil and gas activities in Delta State.
The stakeholders made their positions known during a peace concert and end-of-year party organised by the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, held over the weekend in Warri.
Speaking at the event, participants highlighted tolerance, innovation, peaceful coexistence and the strategic use of technology as key drivers for sustainable development in the oil-producing areas of the state.
One of the guest speakers, Dr. Alfred Mulade, former Registrar of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, urged investors—particularly indigenous contractors—to embrace modern technology to enhance their productivity and overall developmental impact.
He advised members of the forum to explore opportunities beyond DESOPADEC contracts by partnering with technological institutions and investing in emerging sectors.
“The DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum should collaborate with technological bodies to sustain its relevance. Depending solely on contracts from DESOPADEC will not be enough; there are vast opportunities in the technology sector,” Mulade said.
Also speaking, Professor Sunny Awhefeada of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, underscored the importance of cultural harmony among the state’s diverse ethnic groups, including the Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw and others. He noted that meaningful development in the DESOPADEC mandate areas could only be achieved through unity and mutual understanding among the various communities.
Other academics at the event echoed similar views, calling for peaceful coexistence, as well as continuous training and retraining of forum members to improve capacity and professionalism.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, Engr. Ogie Samson, said the peace concert was part of the forum’s initiatives to promote unity and development across the commission’s mandate areas.
He described the event as timely, noting that it was aimed at strengthening unity, encouraging dialogue and fostering a peaceful environment conducive to economic growth and sustainable development in oil-producing communities.
The Secretary of the forum, Prince Ebigbagha Charles, commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the release of funds to DESOPADEC to offset outstanding debt arrears owed to contractors, describing the gesture as a major boost to indigenous businesses.
The event featured colourful cultural displays by Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw and Kwale groups, reflecting the rich diversity of the state. Awards of excellence were also presented to the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochornogho; the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chief Oghenekome Okpobor; and the Secretary of the DESOPADEC Indigenous Contractors Forum, Prince Ebigbagha Charles, in recognition of their contributions to development in the oil-producing areas of Delta State.
