By Ovie Okpare
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh on Sunday assured Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and stakeholders from oil bearing communities that the commission under his watch will not fail in meeting their expectations.
He stated that the agency, in its quest to bring human and infrastructural development to the commission’s area of mandate, DESOPADEC will consult and engage critical stakeholders in its decision making particularly in area of project execution.
Bashorun Ogieh stated this during a thanksgiving service on his appointment by Governor Okowa as DESOPADEC MD/CEO held at the St. Matthias Catholich Church, Uzere, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State on Sunday.
The thanksgiving service was attended by Governor Okowa and his wife, Dame Judith; State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro; former Delta governor, Chief James Ibori; Senator James Manager; speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori; State PDP chairman, Chief Kingsley Esiso and other top government functionaries.
Speaking at the thanksgiving service, Ogieh assured the governor that the interventionist agency under his leadership will only embark on projects that will add value and meaning to the lives of the people of the oil host communities.
“As we have it in our local cliché, to whom much is given, much is expected. Your Excellency, I do not take lightly the huge confidence you reposed on me and my team with our appointments. It is a call to duty, a call to build a Delta primed to equip our people with the wherewithal to become entrepreneurial and by creating a clement environment for them to achieve their potentials. I will not fail you. I will not fail our good people of Delta State.
“To our people in the oil producing communities, I pledge that under my watch, we will be engaging and liaising with you in decision making. In project execution, the desires and priorities of the communities will be paramount. This is an effective way of making the people buy into and own the projects in their areas”, he stated.
While expressing joy on his appointment, the DESOPADE boss commended the state governor for choosing him for the position among the crop of politicians from the area who are also eminently qualified to hold the position.
He stated, “Permit me to use this opportunity to specially thank and express my deep appreciation to His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, our amiable Governor, who has in various ways enhanced and ensured my political trajectory in Delta State and beyond.
“Your Excellency, I appreciate that you let me into where the political paddle of Delta State is hidden and the Canoe has been sailing smoothly even in rough waters. My gratitude knows no bounds. It is profound. And you know, it is without regrets. For me, it is the right thing to do, to effortlessly show immense gratitude to you.”
Bashorun Ogieh said aside being the MD of DESOPADEC vowed to continue to pursue the wellbeing of the people through the Bashorun Askia Foundation (BAF) so as to give back to the society for supporting his political journey.
“I am an apostle of “Politics is Local” as it is what you do at that level that enhances your status at both the state and federal levels. My political followers, especially of the Peoples Democratic Party stock, across the Isoko Nation can attest to the fact of my modest sharing of my successes with them even at the immodest risk of saying so myself.
“I can take that risk, after all, no good politician should be quiet about even the little things he has done for his people. And I think I am a decent politician, with special grassroots touch, even though not a wily one like some in the opposition.
“It is in this regard therefore, that the BASHORUN ASKIA FOUNDATION (BAF) will be encouraged now more than ever to continue to carry out those activities that one way or the other elevates the status of our people” the DESOPADEC MD added.
In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Warri, Most Rev.Dr John Okeoghene Afareha, noted that deep corruption among the nation’s politicians and leaders was the bane of the country’s underdevelopment.
He called on politicians and leaders to work for the common good of the people rather than amassing wealth meant for the generality of the society for themselves and their unborn children.
