By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
The Delta State Chapter of the Host Communities of Nigeria(Producing Oil &Gas) has exonerated the immediate past governor of Delta state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of equal distribution of projects with 13% DESOPADEC derivation across the oil and gas bearing communities.
Hostcom also described those calling for Economic and financial crime commission (EFCC) to probe Okowa’s stewardship, using the hostcom body as impersonators and urged the general public to ignore such persons. Noting that executive of Hostcom in Delta state are the rightful body to speak on behalf of Hostcom.
The group also
today called on Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and others not to allow themselves to be used by Political hustlers and desperate power mongers seeking to settle cheap political scores. The HostCom said funds earmarked for the development of oil and gas bearing communities have been judiciously used to the best of their knowledge saying,”Senator Dr.Okowa has done very well.”
The HostCom stressed that the 13% derivation funds accrued to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, was well utilised.
The Delta State Chairman of Host Communities of Nigeria, Comrade Enujeke Ndudi Sunday made the call at press conference in its Secretariat in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.
It would be recalled that some group of community leaders in Delta State had staged a protest against Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital wherein they alleged that he mismanaged the 13%derivatiin funds in DESOPADEC.
Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark had also called on Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa to account for the funds in addition to his call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC to immediately arrest him.
In a reaction to the protest by some community leaders against former Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa in Abuja, HostCom said, “they are very ignorant of business of governance.”
It added that,”they are just hirelings on smear campaign and have no mandate to speak for the people.
“They should not be taken seriously as they are economic saboteurs and oil and gas community buccaneers who are ready to sell their conscience just to fund their ostentatious lifestyle and selfish ambition.
“We want to say that they’re inconsequential, rabble rousers, and narcissistic in their disposition and therefore cannot hold brief for the oil and gas communities in Delta State.
Comrade Sunday listed some of the projects in which the funds was used for to include, 20.29km Obotobo I-Obotobo II- Sokebolou-Yokri road in Burutu Local Government Area amongst many others.
Comrade Sunday was flanked by the State Secretary, Joseph Lamugha,Kingsley Idere, Ijaw Ethnic Chairman, Andrew Agoyo, Urhobo Ethnic Chairman, Omokero Emmanuel, Isoko Ethnic Chairman, Godswill Oruru, Itsekiri Ethnic Chairman, Chris Nwose, Ndokwa Ethnic Chairman, Obihia Amechi, Ika Ethnic Chairman, Onyeugba Lawrence Onyeka, State Youth leader and Eguare Loveth, State Woman leader.
