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A Delta-born public accountability advocate, Basil Onyemakono Okoh, has fired a pointed Freedom of Information (FOI) request at Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, demanding a full breakdown of statutory allocations and disbursements to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) over the last three fiscal years.

In the strongly worded letter addressed to the Governor and delivered through official channels, Okoh insists that the administration owes Deltans clear answers about how much of the state’s 13% derivation fund, particularly the legislatively mandated 50% share has actually reached DESOPADEC, the agency tasked with developing the oil–producing communities that keep Nigeria’s economy afloat.

Okoh’s request spans June 2023 through October 2025, and seeks month-by-month figures detailing:

1. The exact statutory amounts due to DESOPADEC,
2. The actual payments released by the state government, and
3. Explanations for any discrepancies, shortfalls, or diversions.

Invoking the FOI Act, Okoh reminds the Governor that transparency is not a favour but a legal obligation and gives the administration seven days to produce the documents.

He warns that failure to comply will leave him with “no option” but to head to court to enforce his statutory rights.

The letter, though formal, carries an unmistakably sharp undertone: oil-producing communities remain underdeveloped, DESOPADEC has long been dogged by complaints of underfunding, and the public is increasingly impatient with opaque state finances.

Okoh argues that releasing the information would “reinforce public trust” and demonstrate Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to accountability, particularly at a time when many residents question whether the state’s derivation windfall truly reaches the communities it was created to uplift.

With the clock ticking on the FOI deadline, the ball is now squarely in the Governor’s court. Whether Delta State will open its books or trigger a legal challenge remains to be seen.

Full text of Citizen Basil Okoh’s letter to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori reads:

DESOPADEC ALLOCATIONS

His Excellency,
Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori.
The Executive Governor of Delta State
Office of the Governor,
Government House,
Asaba,Delta State, Nigeria.
admin@governorsheriff.com

RE: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON STATUTORY ALLOCATIONS AND DISBURSEMENTS TO THE DELTA STATE OIL PRODUCING AREAS DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (DESOPADEC) UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, 2011

Your Excellency,

I write to you today with the utmost respect for the high office you hold and in the spirit of transparency and accountability, which are the foundation of good governance.

The purpose of this letter is to formally request detailed information regarding the financial allocations and disbursements made to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

As you are aware, DESOPADEC was established to catalyze the development of the oil-producing communities in Delta State, and its funding is derived from a specific percentage of the statutory oil revenue accruing to the State Government. It is therefore of paramount public interest to ensure that the Commission receives its due funding to effectively execute its vital mandate.

In line with this, I request that you kindly provide the following information for the period covering the last three (3) fiscal years, from June 2023, 2024 and up to October 2025, on a month-by-month basis:

1. The exact figures of the 50% (or the applicable percentage as per the establishing law) of the 13% derivation fund of the monthly statutory allocation due to DESOPADEC from the Delta State Government.
2. The actual monthly payments made by the Delta State Government to DESOPADEC for its operations.
3. A detailed explanation for any and all discrepancies, differences, or shortfalls observed between the amount due to the Commission each month and the amount actually paid to the Commission.

This request is made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, which guarantees every Nigerian citizen the right to access public information.

In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I expect that this information will be provided to me within seven (7) days from the date of receipt of this letter. The requested data should be sent to my address and the e-mail provided at the top of this letter.

Please be advised that if this information is not provided within the stipulated timeframe, I will be compelled to seek the enforcement of my right under the Freedom of Information Act by applying to the court for appropriate remedies to compel the disclosure of the requested information.
I thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. I look forward to your prompt and positive response, which will go a long way in reinforcing public trust in the administration of our beloved state.

Respectfully yours,

Basil Onyemakono Okoh.