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Deacon Okezi Odugala, 3rd left, makes a presentation to DESOPADEC Chairman, Chief John Nani, esq. in the chairman’s office.

The Coordinator of the Forum of Delta State NGOs and Founding Coordinator, Delta State Civil Society Community, Deacon Okezi Odugala has decried alleged unwholesome behaviour of civil society leaders who use their position for selfish interest and narrow financial gains.

Deacon Odugala, made the criticism while speaking when civil society leaders on a working visit met with the Chairman and management team of the Delta State Oil Producing and Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

Expressing strong disapproval of alleged resort to blackmail and campaign of calumny by one of the leaders of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Odugala denounced the authorship of “an invalid application to DESOPADEC” on February 12, 2024 in which an unlawful request was made.

Condemning one of the alleged CDHR factional leaders, described as a rabble-rouser and blackmailer for using the civil society space to pursue narrow financial gains in the name of public interest, writing spurious petitions and making false claims, Odugala called on the DESOPADEC Chairman, Chief John Nani and the management to ignore the bogus allegations and continue with its credible people oriented performance.

He said: ” We are fully aware that DESOPADEC remains dedicated to promoting the socio-economic development of host communities within its mandate areas. They have consistently implemented projects intervening in the oil-bearing communities to deliver social, economic and environmental services to the well being of persons who have suffered untold burden from many years of oil and gas exploration that has distorted negatively livelihood.

“We would like to commend DESOPADEC for the good work so far. The Commission has operated with integrity and professionalism, ensuring that all activities are conducted transparently and in accordance with relevant laws and guidelines.”

While calling on DESOPADEC to continue to abide by international best practices, take its responsibility seriously and operate within the bounds of the law, Odugala called on the commission to beware of the activities of criminal and fraudulent elements masquerading as Civil Society leaders, and criticised a publication against DESOPADEC on the pages of newspaper, describing it as desperation taken too far.

Odugala said: “We wish to use this medium to equivocally state that a recent publication allegedly by a factional CDHR official, requesting DESOPADEC to furnish information coming under the Freedom of Information (FOI Act) is ill-advised and potentially counter-productive. It was an attempt propelled by mischief to blackmail for personal pecuniary gains. Such action is set to portray a commission statutorily mandated to work for oil bearing communities in bad light before the public. You do not request for FOI through the social media and pages of newspapers, using uncouth language alien to civil society which stands for civility and good conduct.

“Trying to seek public emotion and blackmail of a public institution is truly painful in an era of partnership for positive citizens’ upliftment. We are here as civil society partners to DESOPADEC to encourage them to remain focused and resolute in delivering good services and infrastructures to oil bearing communities.”

Odugala, founding Co-ordinator of the Delta State Civil Society Community hailed Olorogun John Nani Esq. as a citizens and Civil Society friendly Chairman and the Commission, a people’s oriented one performing creditably, said: “We are fully aware that DESOPADEC remains dedicated to promoting the socio-economic development of host communities within its mandate areas. They have consistently implemented projects intervening in the oil-bearing communities to deliver social, economic and environmental services to the well being of persons who have suffered untold burden from many years of oil and gas exploration that has distorted their livelihood negatively.

“We would like to commend DESOPADEC for the good work so far. The Commission has operated with integrity and professionalism, ensuring that all activities are conducted transparently and in accordance with relevant laws and guidelines.”

“We are here as civil society partners to DESOPADEC to encourage them to remain focused and resolute in delivering good services and infrastructures to oil bearing communities.

“ We therefore today after our independent monitoring and partnership pass a vote of confidence on DESOPADEC as we task the commission to do more in programmes and project delivery and look into new strategic plans as the world is transiting from a fossil fuel economy to clean energy. We call on DESOPADEC to engage in delivering digital technology, renewable clean energy, artificial intelligence to mostly the teeming youths in the oil-bearing communities.”

Among those at the meeting were Comrade Venture Evwerhamre, President of the Delta Civil Society Actors Community, Amb Augusta  Impact Keneboh, Vice President, Activist Ambrose Egbe Secretary, Activist John Izobo Public Relations Officer, Comrade George Oghenekevwe, Deputy Coordinator, Delta State Civil Society Volunteers and Elder Emmanuel Ogan. Also there is Civicist Rex Anighoro, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Civic Engagement and Civil Society.