DESOPADEC may drop projects to offset N10b debt
THE new management at the Delta State
Oil Producing Areas Development
Commission (DESOPADEC) may not
award projects in 2016 to enable it clear
the N10 billion debt owed contractors,
the agency’s Executive Director, Projects,
Philip Gbasin, has hinted.
Speaking with reporters in Sapele at the
weekend, Gbasin, however, regretted
that the commission’s determination to
meeting the huge expectations of the
people was being hampered by
dwindling resources owing to the free
fall of oil price at the international
market.
He said: “The files we inherited are quite
frightening, about N10 billion. One of
the biggest challenges is that for one
certificate, it can take up to four
installments to pay because there are so
many projects awarded. Some
contractors have completed projects and
have not been paid.”
Gbasin stressed that “for this reason, no
project would be awarded in 2016 to
enable DESOPADEC clear debts being
owed contractors.”
He also disclosed that the commission
was considering smaller strategic
projects to meet the needs of the people,
adding that the agency was equally
exploring ways to invest in human
capital development due to the inherent
multiplier effects.
The executive director submitted that to
avoid duplication of projects in
communities by various development
agencies like the Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC) and
the MDGs, there was the need for
synergy, adding that the new
management intends to broaden
partnership with communities to
pinpoint projects that are sustainable
and of immense importance.
Gbasin noted that since the demands and
expectations of the people were usually
highly, the commission places priorities
on “realistic expectations.”
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