The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) finds itself entangled in internal discord, halting vital development initiatives for oil communities. Allegations of nepotism, highhandedness, and governance issues have ignited a fierce battle between the 14-member board and the executive management team led by Mr. Festus Ochonogor.
Inaugurated by former governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa at the end of his tenure, the DESOPADEC board, chaired by Mr. John Nani, with Mr. Festus Ochonogor as managing director, stands divided over claims that due process was sidestepped in the appointment of department heads.
Sources reveal that appointments were made without the necessary ratification by the board, sparking discontent among its members.
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A confidential source indicated that tensions may escalate during the upcoming board meeting unless the controversial appointments are rescinded.
The source emphasized that the alleged bypassing of due process in the appointment of heads of departments remains a contentious issue.
During the last board meeting, dissenting members expressed concerns over the perceived marginalization of commissioners on the board. The Nation uncovered that heads of departments, instructed to canvass votes for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party during the 2023 governorship election, were unexpectedly replaced four months into their tenure.
Further investigation revealed instances of irregularities in the reshuffling of department heads, with decisions seemingly taken without regard to seniority.
Notably, the removal of the Head of the Legal Department and the appointment of a new Head of Administration on a lower grade level raised eyebrows.
Allegations surfaced that the executive management team resorted to threats, warning of reassignments to area offices if protests ensued over recent postings. The team insisted that the reshuffling was routine, despite the questionable timing and lack of continuity in key positions.
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In response to the unfolding crisis, Mr. Festus Ochonogor acknowledged administrative lapses within DESOPADEC. He attributed the situation to shortcomings inherited from the previous management team’s tenure, deflecting blame onto the past administration.
As the impasse continues, the fate of oil communities’ development remains uncertain, caught in the crossfire of internal disputes within DESOPADEC.
