The Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Barr. John Nani, says Delta State has become a model for other oil-producing states, crediting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for transforming the state into a centre for inter-agency collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Chief Nani made the remark on Wednesday during a strategic meeting with the Board and Management of the Kogi State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (KOSOPADEC) at DESOPADEC’s corporate headquarters in Warri.
The KOSOPADEC team was led by its Chairman, Mr. Suleiman Ndarayi Abdullahi, and Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Omonu Jackson James.
Nani highlighted that DESOPADEC’s structure was patterned after the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) but refined to promote fairness across the six ethnic nationalities in Delta’s oil-producing mandate areas.
He explained that leadership at the commission operates on a rotational system, ensuring equal representation, while its four Executive Directors oversee Finance & Administration, Projects, Social Services, and Planning, Research & Statistics.
On revenue distribution, Nani noted that allocations are tied to the quantum of oil production from each of the state’s 21 oil-producing LGAs, with the current formula reflecting contributions from Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko, Ndokwa, and Ika communities.
He added that DESOPADEC’s funding comes primarily from 50% of the state’s 13% oil derivation allocation.
He also emphasized the commission’s bottom-up project model, explaining that communities determine their development priorities through consultations, town hall meetings, and stakeholder engagements, ensuring people-centred and impactful projects.
Managing Director/CEO of DESOPADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor, described the KOSOPADEC visit as a strong vote of confidence in Delta’s governance model.
He encouraged the delegation to engage with various directorates for detailed insights, noting that other states, including Ondo, have also visited to understudy DESOPADEC’s operations.
Ochonogor urged staff to maintain the commission’s reputation for excellence, saying it is this track record that now attracts inter-state learning tours.
Earlier, KOSOPADEC Chairman, Mr. Abdullahi, expressed appreciation for the warm reception, noting that their delegation arrived with a genuine commitment to learn from Delta State’s successes.
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