Delta Oil Producing Communities Back Clark, Ask Okowa to Account for 13% Derivation

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Leaders of the various oil producing communities in Delta State have asked the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to account for the 13 per cent oil derivation which accrued to his eight-year administration.

The leaders made the call in a statement they jointly signed and made available to THISDAY in Abuja, yesterday.

The statement was signed the National Chairman of Oil Producing Areas Association of Nigeria (OPAAN), Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini and Pioneer National Secretary of Traditional Ruler of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) and Vice Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) Delta State, Markpobi Okareme.

They also included Sir Matthew Itsekure (Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality); Chief Sheriff Mulade (Ijaw Ethnic Nationality); Chief Etenero John (Member Isoko Ethnic Nationality) and   Hon. Mark Ikpuri (Urhobo Ethnic Nationality), for and on behalf of the Oil Producing Communities in Delta State.

They faulted the alleged claims by Okowa that Clark was being used by people to attack him and described such insinuation as ridiculous and, insulting to say the least.

Part of the statement read, “Former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has been labouring in the past few days to justify his expenditure of the 13 per cent derivation accrued to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission  (DESOPADEC) in his tenure in office.

“Pa Clark did not accuse former governor Okowa of not doing anything with the monies he received from FAAC, Ecological fund, IGR, Paris Club refunds, grants and other funds during his tenure in office.

“He was asked to account for how he spent/squandered the 13% derivation fund due to DESOPADEC during his tenure in office.

“The question is, did Okowa give to DESOPADEC what is due to it according to the state law establishing DESOPADEC as amended by Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa?

“He made sure he inaugurated the new DESOPADEC board three days before he left office. That means there is something about DESOPADEC to Okowa; was he trying to put his men there to protect him?

“To Okowa, he seems to have developed the Oil Producing Areas of Delta State and listed a number of projects in each Oil Producing Areas.

“He claimed that he established three new Universities in Delta State which is a record according to him in Nigeria. The three Universities established by Okowa are: Denis Osadebe University, Delta State University, Ozoro, University of Delta, Agbor

“The University of Delta, Agbor is an upgrade of the former College of Education, Agbor. So, the Agbor people were happy that a university is coming to their town, and whereas, Agbor is in Ika South.

“When the University was established, the people thought all the faculties were in Agbor, and that was why they were jubilating.  As a shocker to them, four Faculties were taken to Owa in Ika North-East, the Local Government Area and Kingdom of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

“The Faculties are:  Engineering, Environmental Science, Law and Management and Social Science.

“These ones have developed staff quarters and hostels. There are no staff quarters and hostel in Agbor. All the faculties in Owa are fully developed. The Engineering Faculty has engulfed above N4 billion on equipments alone.”