DESOPADEC under Oborevwori well funded, Zik Gbemre’s outburst unwarranted – Bureau Chief

…Says Payment of inherited Commission’s Debts by Gov’t commendable

The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), was not starved of entitled funds allocations under the leadership of the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.

Director General, Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, made the clarification on Sunday, while debunking claims by a social media commentator, Chief Zik Gbemre, that DESOPADEC was underfunded by the State government.

He dismissed Gbemre’s allegations, describing it as unfounded, unwarranted and devoid of constructive criticism, pointing out that DESOPADEC has been well funded and properly managed by super bureaucrats and professionals under Oborevwori administration, stressing that the N8.4billion debt defrayed by the governor which Gbemre referred to were debts owed contractors of the Commission by previous administrations.

The Bureau Chief said the state government did nothing wrong when it disclosed that the funds has been released to resolve the acute debt crisis between the commission and its contractors, adding that it was only fair for any responsible and right thinking Deltan to commend the governor over the proactive steps taken to resolve an inherited problem.

Dr Oghenesivbe assured that governor Oborevwori’s transformational leadership would continue to positively impact all sectors of the state economy, resolve grey areas that poses threats to good governance in line with the federal and state governments Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda.

He described Oborevwori as a compassionate leader who is totally committed to righting wrongs, setting new standards, and ensuring significant paradigm shift from bureaucratic bottlenecks to progressive flow of ideas, measuring performance with attainment of government objectives.

He urged Chief Gbemre to always situate his criticism correctly and appropriately to avoid spreading falsehood, half truth and misleading information capable of criminally inciting the public, pointing out that there are laws in place to checkmate and impose sanctions on offenses relating to character assassination, cyber stalking, Libel and Defamation.

“It has become crystal clear that Chief Zik Gbemre is not situating his criticism correctly and appropriately. This is not good for his image and public reputation.

“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori did noting wrong by defraying inherited debts of DESOPADEC. That’s exactly what’s expected of a transformational leader.

“The governor’s intervention is fantastic, was never done to attract praises, but to inform Deltans that a lingering debt crisis of N8.4billion has been resolved between DESOPADEC and its contractors. This move connotes good governance, and it is only fair for any right thinking Deltan to commend the governor for a job well done.

“Chief Gbemre’s claims are unfounded and misleading. The general public, especially Deltans should of necessity disregard his unwarranted outburst and unprovoked arracks” Oghenesivbe said.