Ughelli, Delta State – September 8, 2025 – Hon. Akpososo Oghenekaro, Director General of Mimikay Organization and a steadfast advocate for Delta State’s oil-producing communities, has intensified his call for the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to address abandoned projects across Ughelli North, particularly in Afiesere. He is demanding that DESOPADEC complete stalled initiatives, employ more local indigenes, and provide Afiesere residents with a comprehensive report detailing all projects undertaken—both completed and neglected.
Akpososo Oghenekaro also appealed directly to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for urgent intervention.He highlighted several abandoned DESOPADEC projects in Ughelli North, including Afiesere’s stalled community infrastructure, Oteri’s dilapidated road networks, Agbarha-Otor’s unfinished health center, and Otovwodo’s incomplete erosion control measures. “These projects, meant to uplift our oil-producing communities, have been left to decay, worsening flooding, healthcare access, and mobility,” he said.
Specifically for Afiesere, he insisted, “DESOPADEC must tell we the Afiesere people the projects they have done so far and those they have not taken care of. We need a clear account of funds spent and timelines for completion to rebuild trust.” He urged the Honourable Minister of Finance and the Commissioner for Infrastructure to enforce transparency and accountability.
Hon. Oghenekaro also called for DESOPADEC to recruit more indigenes from Ughelli North, particularly Afiesere, to bolster its workforce.
“Employing our people ensures they drive their own development. It’s not just jobs—it’s empowerment for Afiesere, Oteri, and Agbarha-Otor youths,” he said, noting that local employment could curb unrest and address unemployment in these resource-rich areas. He criticized the reliance on external contractors, which often leads to project abandonment.
Appealing to Governor Oborevwori, Hon. Oghenekaro tied his plea to the MORE Agenda’s promise of transformative development.
“Your Excellency, I urge you to direct DESOPADEC to resume work on Afiesere’s projects, Oteri’s roads, and Otovwodo’s defenses and across 25 LGAs. Support local hiring and demand a public report on all DESOPADEC projects in Ughelli North—completed or neglected. Our people deserve answers,” he said, citing the governor’s recent project inspections as a foundation for action. He warned that continued neglect could fuel discontent in oil-producing zones.
A Ughelli native with oil and gas expertise, Hon. Oghenekaro leverages his Mimikay platform to champion equitable resource allocation. Afiesere residents echoed his call, decrying the impact of stalled projects on their livelihoods.
Hon. Akpososo Oghenekaro Appeals to DESOPADEC to Prioritize Staff Welfare and Address Long-Standing Grievances
Hon. Akpososo Oghenekaro has issued a heartfelt appeal to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to urgently prioritize the welfare of its staff, emphasizing the need for improved training, medical care, and resolution of longstanding issues that have plagued employees since 2009. Oghenekaro’s call comes amid ongoing court cases filed by DESOPADEC staff since 2018, highlighting critical concerns such as salary slashes, unpaid bonuses, lack of medical care, and union victimization.
Oghenekaro underscored the dire situation faced by DESOPADEC workers, noting that their salaries were slashed by 30% in 2013 due to reported financial constraints, with a promise of restoration that has yet to materialize.
This reduction, which violates the workers’ engagement letters, has caused significant financial hardship. Additionally, the end-of-year bonus, a statutory entitlement, has not been paid since 2016, leaving staff in debt and unable to plan financially. Protests in 2017, where workers shut down DESOPADEC’s headquarters in Warri, highlighted these issues, with placards demanding Governor Ifeanyi Okowa address their plight, yet no resolution has been achieved.
The lack of medical care for DESOPADEC staff is another pressing concern raised by Oghenekaro. He stressed that employees, who often work in challenging environments, are denied access to adequate healthcare, compromising their well-being and productivity. Furthermore, promotions have been limited to only 20% of eligible staff, contrary to the commission’s conditions of service, stifling career progression and morale. Oghenekaro also condemned the victimization of union executives and the non-implementation of check-off dues for union members, actions that undermine workers’ rights to collective bargaining and fair representation.
Oghenekaro urged DESOPADEC’s leadership, under Chairman Olorogun John Nani, to address these grievances transparently and swiftly. He called for comprehensive training programs to enhance staff capacity, enabling them to contribute effectively to the commission’s mandate of developing oil-producing communities. He also advocated for the establishment of a robust medical care system to ensure employees’ health needs are met, aligning with global workplace standards.
The unresolved minimum wage issue was another focal point, with Oghenekaro noting that the current payments fall below expectations and legal standards, further exacerbating staff discontent. He appealed to the Commissioner representing Ughelli North to intervene, ensuring that DESOPADEC complies with Nigeria’s labor laws, including the National Minimum Wage Act, to restore dignity to its workforce.
Drawing inspiration from the Ughelli Monarch’s call for unity and transparency, Oghenekaro emphasized that addressing these issues would not only resolve the ongoing court cases but also boost staff morale and productivity. He urged DESOPADEC to engage with union leaders, reverse the salary cuts, reinstate bonuses, and implement fair promotion policies. By prioritizing staff welfare, DESOPADEC can set a precedent for equitable treatment and strengthen its role in Delta State’s development.